Among Charles Gounod's compositions are several hundred sacred solo songs, including his 1852 setting of the Catholic hymn "Ave Maria". Forty years later, Gounod, a devoutly religious albeit also a deeply sinful man, composed in 1893 his last sacred song, his last work for voice and orchestra, and one of his last pieces altogether.

Known as "Repentir", Gounod wrote both the words and the music. "Repentir" has all the characteristics of Gounod's best music: simplicity, clarity and taste but it...