LA VILLE MORTE

THE STORY

Long overshadowed by her towering legacy as one of the 20th century’s most influential music teachers, Nadia Boulanger’s creative voice as a composer is rediscovered in La ville morte (The Dead City) – a haunting opera of passion, loss, and psychological intensity. Composed in collaboration with Raoul Pugno and based on a libretto by Gabriele D’Annunzio, this rarely heard work unfolds in the ruins of ancient Mycenae, where buried desires mirror the city’s decaying past. With themes of obsession, betrayal, and blurred boundaries, the opera’s rich emotional landscape is matched by impressionistic orchestral textures and intimate, arioso-style writing that nods to the styles of both Debussy and Wagner. In this evocative setting, Boulanger reveals a daring, expressive side that defies her reputation as the stern guardian of musical tradition.

This World Premiere recording marks the PENTATONE debut of soprano Melissa Harvey, mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin, tenor Joshua Dennis, baritone Jorell Williams, the Talea Ensemble, and conductor Neal Goren. The opera’s orchestration–reconstructed by Joseph Stillwell and Stephan Cwik under the supervision of David Conte–breathes new life into a long-silent score. A co-production between Catapult Opera and the Greek National Opera, La ville morte is not only a rare glimpse into Boulanger’s compositional brilliance, but also a thrilling addition to the modern operatic repertoire.