Georges Prêtre (1924-2017) was a French conductor, admired in opera, French repertory and the music of the twentieth century. He worked with major orchestras and singers, including a long association with Maria Callas.

In the Pristine catalogue he appears in Poulenc’s Gloria and Organ Concerto, with French radio forces, Rosanna Carteri and Maurice Duruflé.

Prêtre’s conducting was theatrical, flexible and full of colour, with a natural feel for French rhythm and vocal line. He could make brilliance feel instinctive rather than manufactured.

His page is justified by stature even from a compact catalogue footprint. Prêtre gives the Poulenc shelf a flash of Parisian electricity.