Vangelis – Opera Sauvage (1979) Review | Turning Water Music into Wine at Another Wild Party  

Kronomyth 9.0: Take me to the Gallo’s poll.

The decision to score a third Frédéric Rossif series, Opera Sauvage, couldn’t have come as a shock to Vangelis fans. The marriage of Rossif’s nature documentaries and Vangelis’ music was a natural alliance. What is shocking is that the score, Opera Sauvage, stands completely on its own as an album of new music from the Greek maestro. Both L’Apocalypse des Animaux and La Fête Sauvage had their moments, but Opera Sauvage represents some of the best music that Vangelis has committed to vinyl to date. Hymne became an actual hit while moonlighting as the theme to Gallo Winery’s television commercials, and L’Enfant is every bit its equal. The remaining tracks employ the by-now familiar sounds of Vangelis in a mix of memorable themes, from the Celtic-inspired Irlande to the Spanish shades of Chromatique. If I tell you that Opera Sauvage is one of Vangelis’ lightest works, I mean that as a compliment. The compositions are beautiful, airy, spun from light. The addition of Jon Anderson on harp only adds to that airiness and sense of magic on the closing Flamants Roses. It’s one of the prettiest albums Vangelis has made and one of his most accessible. Approaching his music for the first time from the perspective of Chariots of Fire, Opera Sauvage would be a gentle introduction to his music where Heaven and Hell might prove daunting (and a Beaubourg, terrifying). Over the years, I’ve returned to Opera Sauvage far more than his other Rossif scores and, in fact, more than quite a few of his “proper” albums.

The Product

A1. Hymne (2:44)
A2. Reve (12:36)
A3. L’Enfant (5:00)
A4. Mouettes (2:31)
B1. Chromatique (3:27)
B2. Irlande (4:47)
B3. Flamants Roses (11:57)

Composed and arranged by Vangelis.

The Players

Vangelis (all instruments) with Jon Anderson (harp). Produced by Vangelis.

The Pictures

Sleeve design by Vangelis.

The Plastic

Released on elpee and cassette in 1979 in the UK (Polydor, 2490 161), the US (Polydor, 829 663-1/4), Argentina, Canada and Germany (Polydor, 2480 551), France and the Netherlands (Polydor, 2473 105/3169 237), Italy (Polydor, 3184 161), Japan (Polydor, MPF 1302) and Taiwan (Polydor, SF-4053) with regional gatefold cover.

1. Re-packaged w. L’Apocalypse des Animaux on 2-for-1 cassette in the UK (Polydor, 3574 140).
2. Re-packaged with China + Chariots of Fire on 3LP in November 1982 in the UK.
3. Re-issued on elpee, cassette and compact disc in 1987 in the US (Polydor, 829 663-1/2/4). Reached #42 on the US charts.