Les Nuits d'Hadrien Goutal 2004

Between 1916 and 1928, the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi created three tone poems known as the "Roman Trilogy," as he set the Roman fountains, pines, and festivals to musical monuments. At that time, the works were frequently performed, but today they are rarely heard. It may be that this kind of tone painting is now perceived as somewhat outdated. However, that would be strange, considering that film music is played everywhere; even the most tedious cinematic accompaniment elaborations, which suddenly seem distressingly banal without the accompanying images.

I believe that Respighi conjured wonderful images and moods even without the crutch of celluloid. The program of his four-movement symphonic poem "Pini di Roma" (Pines of Rome) describes the third movement "I pini del Gianicolo" (The Pines on the Janiculum; youtube.com/watch?v=4woDFrIp5lI) with the words: "A tremor passes through the air: On a clear full moon night, the pines of the Janiculum gently sway their tops. In the branches, a nightingale sings." By the way, Respighi took his tone pictures very seriously and even specified the record recording to be used for the nightingale's song.

As always with such program music, one could easily imagine a different story. The similarities with promotional fragrance programs are by no means coincidental. However: Who wouldn’t gladly follow an invitation to Rome, whether it be musical or fragrant...?

Regarding the summer full moon night, I should mention that I arrive at this not primarily because of the perfume's name, but rather as a kind of diversion. Alternatively, Les Nuits d’Hadrien could be characterized as a fragrance for late summer, but who would want to skip over high summer now? We are waiting for it!

The full moon night of Hadrian opens with a dark citrus warmth. The mention of mandarin and bergamot suggests a lightness or sprightliness that I do not find in the fragrance. Rather, it is sensually juicy. I would have guessed orange most likely. Unfortunately, the noble fruit largely fades within a good half hour, and spice moves to the forefront - quiet, warm, and characterful.

A clove-like prick awakens memories of the roughly decade-older Eau du Gouverneur by Comptoir Sud Pacifique. A double test actually revealed parallels in style, especially in the middle part; however, the Governor comes across as more herbaceous, scratchy, woody, and a bit distant with his verbena start and stronger eugenol emphasis.

Les Nuits d’Hadrien, in contrast, is on one hand fresher, undoubtedly thanks to the basil contribution, and on the other hand rounder, softer, and more flattering, especially when the vanilla becomes more pronounced in the fourth or fifth hour, softening the spice. A pleasant, friendly companion that consistently maintains a refined, gently ambried spice. Aside from the richly glowing opening, the sillage is discreet. For an evening, even a eeeeeetwas longer evening, the longevity is completely sufficient.

Conclusion: The delicious beginning sets the bar a bit too high; it cannot be denied that the progression does not quite maintain this level of quality. Nevertheless, a testing recommendation, if only for the thought of a warm summer night.