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Chandos continues its admirable series of operas performed in English with Ariadne on Naxos. In a wordy opera like this it's particularly valuable to be able to understand the wit of the libretto, so for English speakers this recording could open up its humor. Such a venture can only succeed if the translation works, and Christopher Cowell's graceful, idiomatic, and singable version, made especially for the recording, is fully up to the challenge. Richard Armstrong leads the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a vivacious, well-paced performance that beautifully captures the tricky balance between lushness and delicacy the score demands. The vocal performances are solid, if not always spectacular. Christine Brewer is a very strong Ariadne, ardent and strongly characterized, even she if she doesn't quite have the ideal luminosity. Gillian Keith's Zerbinetta has the technical demands fully and effortlessly in hand, but her voice lacks the gleam to make her vocal acrobatics as astonishing as they should be. As Bacchus, Robert Dean Smith seems to be pushing in his upper register and at high volume, and the result often sounds constrained. Alice Coote is a vivid, delightful Composer, and Alan Opie a resonant and authoritative Music Master. Actor Stephen Fry is obviously having a marvelous time as the Major Domo, and he is genuinely funny. Given the number of more vocally consistent recordings, this might not be the only one a listener might want, but for English speakers it could be a fine introduction to the opera. The set is filled out with a crisp and lively performance of the Suite from Le bourgeois gentilhomme. Chandos sound is clean, full, and well-balanced.
© TiVo
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Der Bürger als Edelmann Suite, Op. 60, TrV 228c (Richard Strauss)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Bradley Creswick, solo violin - David Watkin, solo cello - Catriona Beveridge, solo piano - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Ariadne auf Naxos, Op. 60, TrV 228a (Richard Strauss)
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
DISC 2
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Stephen Fry, spoken (Major-Domo) - Christine Brewer, soprano (The Prima Donna / Ariadne) - Robert Dean Smith, tenor (The Tenor / Bacchus) - Alice Coote mezzo-soprano (Composer) - Alan Opie, baritone (Music Master) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Dancing Master) - Paul Keohone, bass (A Wigmaker) - Dean Robinson, bass (A Footman) - Declan McCusker, tenor (An Officer) - Gillian Keith, soprano (Zerbinetta) - Roderick Williams, baritone (Harlequin) - John Graham-Hall, tenor (Scaramuccio) - Matthew Rose, bass (Truffaldino) - Wynne Evans, tenor (Brighella) - Anita Watson, soprano (Naiad) - Pamela Helen Stephen, mezzo-soprano (Dryad) - Gail Pearson, soprano(Echo) - Scottish Chamber Orchestra - Sir Richard Armstrong, conductor
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
Album review
Chandos continues its admirable series of operas performed in English with Ariadne on Naxos. In a wordy opera like this it's particularly valuable to be able to understand the wit of the libretto, so for English speakers this recording could open up its humor. Such a venture can only succeed if the translation works, and Christopher Cowell's graceful, idiomatic, and singable version, made especially for the recording, is fully up to the challenge. Richard Armstrong leads the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a vivacious, well-paced performance that beautifully captures the tricky balance between lushness and delicacy the score demands. The vocal performances are solid, if not always spectacular. Christine Brewer is a very strong Ariadne, ardent and strongly characterized, even she if she doesn't quite have the ideal luminosity. Gillian Keith's Zerbinetta has the technical demands fully and effortlessly in hand, but her voice lacks the gleam to make her vocal acrobatics as astonishing as they should be. As Bacchus, Robert Dean Smith seems to be pushing in his upper register and at high volume, and the result often sounds constrained. Alice Coote is a vivid, delightful Composer, and Alan Opie a resonant and authoritative Music Master. Actor Stephen Fry is obviously having a marvelous time as the Major Domo, and he is genuinely funny. Given the number of more vocally consistent recordings, this might not be the only one a listener might want, but for English speakers it could be a fine introduction to the opera. The set is filled out with a crisp and lively performance of the Suite from Le bourgeois gentilhomme. Chandos sound is clean, full, and well-balanced.
© TiVo
Details of original recording : 75:11 - 77:43 - DDD - Enregistré en 2010 - Notes et texte de l'opéra en anglais
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 35 track(s)
- Total length: 02:32:42
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Richard Armstrong
- Composer: Richard Strauss
- Label: Chandos
- Area: Allemagne
- Genre: Classical Opera Full Operas
- Period: Modern Style
- Collection: Opera in english
(C) 2010 Chandos (P) 2010 Chandos
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