2020 54,416 reviews and more.. and still writing ...

Search MusicWeb Here You can also use this FreeFind              International mailing

Searching Musicweb Monthly index Recordings of the Year Label index Masterwork index Series index Search engines Review Archive Classical Downloads Jazz Concerts Nostalgia Books Film music Resources Composer pages Tony Duggan's Mahler survey National discographies Mark Morris's Guide to Twentieth Century Composers Ralph Moore's Surveys Online books Piano Trio Survey Cello Concerto Project Pot Pourri - Early MusicWeb Gerard Hoffnung Arthur Butterworth's columns Philip Scowcroft's British light music collection Interviews Programme notes MusicWeb Listening Studio Other material Articles Seen & Heard Message Board Announcements About Musicweb About Musicweb Contact Musicweb Contributors What they say about us Visitor stats Site Map

Founder: Len Mullenger                                    Editor in Chief:John Quinn

BUY NOW  AmazonUK   AmazonUS

Benjamin BRITTEN (1913-1976) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1960) - opera in three acts Libretto adapted from William Shakespeare by Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears Tatyana…Ileana Cotrubas Oberon…James Bowman Bottom…Curt Appelgren Puck…Damien Nash Hermia…Cynthia Buchan Lysander…Ryland Davies Demetrius…Dale Duesing Helena…Felicity Lott Quince…Robert Bryson Snug…Andrew Gallagher Starveling…Donald Bell Flute…Patrick Power Snout…Adrian Thompson Theseus…Lieuwe Visser Hippolyta…Claire Powell London Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernard Haitink Directed by Peter Hall Recorded at Glyndebourne, England, in 1981 WARNER/NVC ARTS 0630-16911-2 [156:00]

Peter Hall’s production of Britten’s opera after Shakespeare is visually quite stunning. Using the extremely limited stage area that was the original Glyndebourne, designer, John Bury, created a magical atmosphere: beautiful sets, sylvan-lit, with enchanted trees and glades, and lavish costumes, bizarre make-up and weirdly imposing coiffeurs. The final act in the Duke’s court is well staged too with the rustics’ play hilariously presented. The final entrance of the fairies, to bless all the lovers is enchanting as also is Puck’s leave-taking. It has to be said that, for this reviewer, memories of Britten’s own wonderful 1966 audio recording (Decca London 425 663-2LH2) linger indelibly in the memory. Alfred Deller was so memorable as Oberon (his wondrous unearthly tones in ‘I know a bank’ for instance) and Elizabeth Harwood was a more unworldly Titanya (as Britten suggested) than Ileana Cotrubas. Yet Cotrubas’s coloratura technique, particularly in the scene with Bottom under enchantment, leaves nothing to be desired. As Oberon, James Bowman deservedly wins the warmest applause at the end, while the principal scene stealer is young Damien Nash as Puck swinging through the trees and causing mischief between the young lovers. This production dates back to 1981 and the cast list includes Dame Felicity Lott showing early promise not only as a most expressive singer but also as a spirited actress. Cynthia Buchan also shines as Hermia and the two young ladies are very animated in their Act II cat fight when the two couples’ affections become hopelessly confused. Curt Appelgren is a winsome, buffoonish Bottom but cannot equal Owen Brannigan’s flamboyant portrayal in Britten’s set. The rustics under the leadership of a long-suffering Quince (Robert Bryson) all raise a smile. A performance that enchants. Ian Lace Advertising on Musicweb Donate and keep us afloat   New Releases All Naxos reviews All Chandos reviews All Hyperion reviews All Foghorn reviews All Troubadisc reviews all cpo reviews Click to see New Releases Get 10% off using code musicweb10 All Divine Art reviews All APR reviews All Lyrita Reviews   Obtain 10% discount

Return to Index

Reviews from previous months Join the mailing list and receive a hyperlinked weekly update on the discs reviewed. details We welcome feedback on our reviews. Please use the Bulletin Board Please paste in the first line of your comments the URL of the review to which you refer.