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In a forest in the vaguely medieval kingdom of Allemonde, Prince Golaud finds a mysterious young woman weeping by a fountain. They are soon married but six months later, apart from finding out her name, Golaud knows little more about Mélisande than at their first meeting. When she meets Golaud's half-brother Pelléas they fall in love and the tragic end of the story is inexorably set.

The huge dramatic and psychological power of Pelléas et Mélisande hangs on Debussy’s extraordinary and subtle score where minutely calculated effects, especially near-silence and flickering half-lights, so often hover on the threshold of hearing. Debussy himself described it as 'a means of expression that seems to me quite special' – a judgement vindicated by history and many of the 20th century's foremost composers and musicians.

Iván Fischer was both conductor and director of this critically acclaimed production, its outstanding cast led by Bernard Richter and Patricia Petibon in the title roles. Like his Budapest Festival Orchestra, Fischer wore a cloak of leaves, all of them immersed in the action, the stage a forest with singers, players and conductor among the trees.

Recorded at the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, Budapest, last September and introduced by Kate Molleson in conversation with Iván Fischer.

Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande

Pelléas ..... Bernard Richter (tenor)
Mélisande ..... Patricia Petibon (soprano)
Golaud ...... Tassis Christoyannis (baritone)
Arkel ..... Nicolas Testé (bass)
Geneviève ..... Yvonne Naef (contralto)
The Doctor / voice of shepherd ..... Peter Harvey (bass)
Yniold ..... Oliver Michael (boy soprano)
Budapest Festival Orchestra
Iván Fischer (conductor)