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Edward Gardner|Tippett: The Midsummer Marriage (Live)

Tippett: The Midsummer Marriage (Live)

Edward Gardner, London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Philharmonic Choir, English National Opera Chorus

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This concert recording of Michael Tippett's first opera, The Midsummer Marriage, marks the beginning of Edward Gardner's tenure as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO). This recording of the English composer’s ‘early period’ masterpiece is the first to be made commercially available in over fifty years. It took place in London at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, in 2021, and was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.


‘Clearly inspired by The Magic Flute, with its opposition of two contrasting couples, one aspiring to the ultimate truth, the other preferring to settle for a more mundane existence, this opera is characterised by the vitality [of Tippett's music], inexhaustible lyrical invention, virtuoso orchestral writing and great rhythmic power,’ says Polish critic Piotr Kaminski.


Consistent with Tippett's pacifist political convictions, this work, conceived from 1940 onwards, sounds like a declaration of hope and reconciliation. Premiered in 1955, it’s both brilliant and optimistic, celebrating human community and the regeneration of society after the horrors of war. However, its Jungian philosophy and socialist idealism are challenging to stage. Half oratorio, half opera, the work is beautifully performed here in concert with the excellent English Opera Chorus, a major contributor to the opera. The principal architect of this success is Edward Gardner, who conducts the LPO with great finesse, lightening the textures of this dense contrapuntal music. The rather disparate cast is dominated by Jennifer France (Bella) and Toby Spence (Jack), who are particularly at ease in the role of the Mozart couple, reminiscent of Papageno and Papagena.


This new complete recording truly does justice to Tippett's magical opera. © François Hudry/Qobuz

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Tippett: The Midsummer Marriage (Live)

Edward Gardner

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1
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 1: Start (Live)
00:03:49

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

2
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 1: What's that? Surely music? (Live)
00:01:10

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

3
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 2: Start (Live)
00:01:29

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

4
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 2: Stop! Stop, stop! (Live)
00:03:40

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Susan Bickley, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo - Joshua Bloom, MainArtist, BassVocals

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

5
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 2: Alla marcia. Andante (Live)
00:00:48

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

6
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 3: Mark, Chorus (Live)
00:04:34

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

7
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 4: Mark, Jenifer, Chorus (Live)
00:07:05

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo - Rachel Nicholls, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

8
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 5: King Fisher, Bella, Chorus, Ancients (Live)
00:04:47

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Susan Bickley, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Joshua Bloom, MainArtist, BassVocals - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

9
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 6: Start (Live)
00:02:49

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

10
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 6: So you, so you, so you're the company my daughter keeps (Live)
00:01:51

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

11
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 7: King Fisher, Jack, Bella, Chorus, Sosostris (Live)
00:08:28

Toby Spence, MainArtist, TenorSolo - London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - Claire Barnett-Jones, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

12
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 8: Start (Live)
00:01:10

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

13
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 8: Returning to the earth is cruel (Live)
00:06:21

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Susan Bickley, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo - Rachel Nicholls, MainArtist, SopranoSolo - Joshua Bloom, MainArtist, BassVocals

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

14
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 8: Is it so strange… (Live)
00:06:10

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Rachel Nicholls, MainArtist, SopranoSolo - Joshua Bloom, MainArtist, BassVocals

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

15
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 8: You, you who were with me when she left me (Live)
00:02:21

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

16
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 8: As stallions stamping the young men dance (Live)
00:01:55

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo - Rachel Nicholls, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

17
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 8: See by a heavenly magic… (Live)
00:03:50

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo - Rachel Nicholls, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

18
The Midsummer Marriage, Act I Scene 8: We are the laughing children (Live)
00:00:49

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

DISC 2

1
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II Pre-scene: Start (Live)
00:01:47

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

2
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II Pre-scene: Crying as they're flying and this is what they say (Live)
00:00:41

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

3
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II Scene 1: Start (Live)
00:05:04

Toby Spence, MainArtist, TenorSolo - London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

4
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II Scene 1: I'll lay the baby to my breast and rock it (Live)
00:01:36

Toby Spence, MainArtist, TenorSolo - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

5
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II Scene 1: Come within the shadow of the wood (Live)
00:01:12

Toby Spence, MainArtist, TenorSolo - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

6
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II Scene 2: Strephon, Dancers (Live)
00:03:02

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

7
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II 1st Dance: The Earth in Autumn (Live)
00:04:07

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

8
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II 2nd Dance: The Waters in Winter (Live)
00:05:36

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

9
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II 3rd Dance: The Air in Spring (Live)
00:03:41

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

10
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II Scene 3: Bella, Jack (Live)
00:06:26

Toby Spence, MainArtist, TenorSolo - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

11
The Midsummer Marriage, Act II Post-Scene: Chorus offstage (Live)
00:01:20

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

DISC 3

1
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III: Start (Live)
00:00:54

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

2
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 1: Chorus, Half-Tipsy Man, A Dancing Man, King Fisher (Live)
00:03:49

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - John Findon, MainArtist, TenorSolo - Paul Sheehan, MainArtist, VocalSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

3
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 2: King Fisher, Chorus (Live)
00:02:28

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

4
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 3: King Fisher, Bella, Ancients (Live)
00:03:19

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Susan Bickley, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - Joshua Bloom, MainArtist, BassVocals - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

5
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 4: Chorus (Live)
00:03:35

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

6
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 5: Start (Live)
00:02:53

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

7
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 5: Who hopes to conjure with the world of dreams (Live)
00:02:39

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Claire Barnett-Jones, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

8
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 5: I alone, cannot consult myself (Live)
00:03:56

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Claire Barnett-Jones, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

9
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 5: You who consult me should never, [never,] doubt me (Live)
00:03:28

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Claire Barnett-Jones, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

10
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 5: I see a meadow, fragrant with flowers (Live)
00:02:24

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - Claire Barnett-Jones, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

11
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 6: King Fisher, Bella, Jack, Chorus, Sosostris (Live)
00:05:24

Toby Spence, MainArtist, TenorSolo - London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

12
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 7: Ancients, King Fisher, Chorus (Live)
00:03:33

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Susan Bickley, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Ashley Riches, MainArtist, VocalSolo - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Joshua Bloom, MainArtist, BassVocals

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

13
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 8: Start (Live)
00:03:04

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Susan Bickley, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Joshua Bloom, MainArtist, BassVocals - Robert Winslade Anderson, MainArtist, BassVocals - Sophie Goldrick, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

14
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 8: Poco meno mosso - Fire! Fire! (Live)
00:01:38

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

15
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III 4th Dance: Fire in Summer (Live)
00:05:23

London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Susan Bickley, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo - Rachel Nicholls, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

16
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 9: Start (Live)
00:02:23

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

17
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 9: O summer sun golden faced glorious globe (Live)
00:01:36

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

18
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 9: Allegretto non troppo (Live)
00:02:20

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

19
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 9: Jenifer, Jenifer, my darling (Live)
00:01:53

Toby Spence, MainArtist, TenorSolo - London Philharmonic Choir, Choir, MainArtist - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Susan Bickley, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer - Claire Barnett-Jones, MainArtist, MezzoSopranoVocals - English National Opera Chorus, Choir, MainArtist - Robert Murray, MainArtist, TenorSolo - Rachel Nicholls, MainArtist, SopranoSolo - Joshua Bloom, MainArtist, BassVocals - Jennifer France, MainArtist, SopranoSolo

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

20
The Midsummer Marriage, Act III Scene 9: Piu mosso alla breve - fall and are built again (Live)
00:03:52

London Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra, MainArtist - Edward Gardner, Conductor, MainArtist - Michael Tippett, Composer

2022 London Philharmonic Orchestra Ltd 2022 BBC

Albumbeschreibung

This concert recording of Michael Tippett's first opera, The Midsummer Marriage, marks the beginning of Edward Gardner's tenure as Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO). This recording of the English composer’s ‘early period’ masterpiece is the first to be made commercially available in over fifty years. It took place in London at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, in 2021, and was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3.


‘Clearly inspired by The Magic Flute, with its opposition of two contrasting couples, one aspiring to the ultimate truth, the other preferring to settle for a more mundane existence, this opera is characterised by the vitality [of Tippett's music], inexhaustible lyrical invention, virtuoso orchestral writing and great rhythmic power,’ says Polish critic Piotr Kaminski.


Consistent with Tippett's pacifist political convictions, this work, conceived from 1940 onwards, sounds like a declaration of hope and reconciliation. Premiered in 1955, it’s both brilliant and optimistic, celebrating human community and the regeneration of society after the horrors of war. However, its Jungian philosophy and socialist idealism are challenging to stage. Half oratorio, half opera, the work is beautifully performed here in concert with the excellent English Opera Chorus, a major contributor to the opera. The principal architect of this success is Edward Gardner, who conducts the LPO with great finesse, lightening the textures of this dense contrapuntal music. The rather disparate cast is dominated by Jennifer France (Bella) and Toby Spence (Jack), who are particularly at ease in the role of the Mozart couple, reminiscent of Papageno and Papagena.


This new complete recording truly does justice to Tippett's magical opera. © François Hudry/Qobuz

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