MASSENET: “Don Quichotte.” Jose van Dam, Teresa...

MASSENET: “Don Quichotte.” Jose van Dam, Teresa Berganza, Alain Fondary, others; Toulouse Orchestra and Chorus, Michel Plasson, conductor. EMI CDCB 7 54767 2. The faded charms of late Massenet are revived here by the masterly accomplishment of Van Dam, who brings to the French Don Quixote his usual suave virtuosity, as tasteful as it is musical. Fortunately the voice, at the age of 53, is still there to do his bidding. Much the same can be said for the voluptuous contribution of a closely miked Berganza, albeit a little thick-voiced these days. Fondary is a self-effacing Sancho. He and Van Dam avoid bathos in the death scene, which contains the best music in the score. Plasson conducts with appropriate passion.