Claude Debussy - L'enfant prodigue [with score]

L'enfant prodigue (The Prodigal Son) is a scène lyrique or cantata in one act by Claude Debussy with a text by Édouard Guinand.
Thanks to Thomas Van Dun for the preparation of this score video. / thomasvandun
The cantata premiered in Paris on June 27, 1884 as part of the Prix de Rome for composition competition, which was awarded to Debussy with this piece by 22 out of 28 votes. The prize win garnered Debussy a scholarship to the Académie des Beaux-Arts, which included a four-year residence at the Villa Medici, the French Academy in Rome, to further his studies (1885-1887).
The later version of 1907 was re-orchestrated with the help of André Caplet and the premiere of this version took place at the Sheffield Music Festival in 1908, conducted by Henry Wood.
Although the work was never intended to be staged, it has on occasion been presented as a one-act opera.
Synopsis:
At sunrise Lia (soprano) laments the absence of Azaël (tenor), her prodigal son, an outcast after leaving his home to pursue the world's pleasures. Siméon (baritone) is weary of her constant thinking of Azaël. After the appearance and dance of young villagers, Azaël enters, and is joyfully reunited with his mother. She urges Siméon to forgive and welcome him home which he does, calling for a feast of celebration and singing praises to God.
Lia: Jessye Norman, soprano
Azaël: José Carreras, tenor
Siméon: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone
Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Gary Bertini

[@simonkawasaki4229]

A truly great piece of music from the young Debussy. Though compact, it is filled with so much that was characteristic to his style, even at this early stage. This won the Prix de Rome for a reason!

[@signodeinterrogacion8361]

Yeah, but those crashing cymbals are the least Debussy thing ever though. Still a very good piece, I agree.

[@escalantemacaya]

A very difficult piece to find,
my students and I thank you.

[@aakarshitsingh1535]

Very beautiful

[@hb2086]

Simeon's Recitative and Aria: 27:10

[@gabrielkaz5250]

13:59

[@sammyflowproductions933]

Orchestra? Soloists? Great piece!

[@dez3540]

Lia: Jessye Norman, soprano
Azaël: José Carreras, tenor
Siméon: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone
Stuttgart Radio Symphony
Conductor: Gary Bertini
1981 🙂

[@robstearns7080]

YES! Agrredd. Debussy is my favorite classical composer

[@philippep4983]

On dirait un peu du Wagner !

[@mgconlan]

Debussy had a love-hate relationship to Wagner. He once contemplated doing his own "Tristan et Isolde" opera (based on Joseph Bedier's French version of the legend rather than the Gottfried von Strassburg version Wagner used), and when he finally wrote an opera, "Pelléas et Mélisande," he picked a very Wagnerian story and set it in as un-Wagnerian a way as possible. Debussy once called Wagner "a beautiful sunset that was mistaken for a dawn."

[@philippep4983]

​@@mgconlanmerci beaucoup pour vos lumières !