First performed in 1889, the year of the great Paris Exhibition. Esclarmonde is as solid a monument to the taste of the Third Republic as was the newly-constructed Eitfel Tower - the view Of JAMES HARDING , who introduces music from this opera romanesque, an improbable but exciting tale of medieval romance and knightly chivalry. JOHN ALLDIS CHOIR FINCHLEY CHILDREN'S MUSIC GROUP, NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, conducted by RICHARD BONYNGE : records