Richard Bonynge took a lot of criticism for his lack of experience as a conductor, but he had one sterling quality: he only conducted unusual repertoire or performances for his wife, and he was perfectly competent in either capacity. In fact, he was much better than that in a great deal of the neglected early- and mid-Romantic music that constituted his specialty, and this complete Giselle, first issued in 1969, is a case in point. The edition here includes Burgmüller’s peasant dances in Act 1, and an interpolated waltz in the big pas de deux in the second act, and so gives us a full two hours of charming music. Bonynge knows exactly what to do: keep things moving, and make sure that the percussion supports rather than overwhelms the rhythm. Where the music is most continuous, such as in the apparition of Giselle in the middle of Act 2, he really lets us hear just how enjoyable a score this can be away from the stage. The Monte Carlo orchestra understands the idiom very well, as you might expect. Its somewhat grainy sonority and plangent winds add a welcome touch of spice that prevents even the most routine number (and there are a couple) from turning overly bland. Decca’s sonics have held up well, and at Eloquence’s budget price this is just the sort of release to fill that basic ballet gap in many collections.
