Grétry: The Jealous Lover

With “L’Amant jaloux” in 1778, André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry created one of the most successful works of French opéra-comique. This comedy, as charming as it is sophisticated, combines amorous entanglements, jealousy, and social conventions with music of great elegance and theatrical vitality. Grétry’s flair for characteristic figures, pointed dialogue, and catchy melodies made the work a popular success that remained a staple on French stages for decades.

This new recording impressively highlights the qualities of the score. Under the direction of Mathieu Lussier, the Arion Baroque Orchestra unfolds Grétry’s colorful and nuanced musical language with stylistic sovereignty. A top-tier ensemble of soloists—Magali Simard-Galdès, Hélène Guilmette, Guylaine Girard, Pierre Derhet, Artavazd Sargsyan, and Matthieu Lécroart—brings wit, charm, and human depth to the multi-layered characters.

Thus, this recording invites listeners to rediscover a masterpiece of French opera history that uniquely unites musical esprit and subtle theatrical art.