Benjamin Luxon
This British baritone enjoyed an international career propelled by a handsome instrument and a musical intelligence that allowed equal space for warmth of feeling. Against the attractiveness of vocal timbre, however, was the presence of a strong vibrato that frequently reached the point of intrusiveness, especially at higher volume. Nonetheless, Benjamin Luxon forged many memorable performances, a number of them preserved on disc. His Mussorgsky recital was warmly praised by the critical press and won the endorsement of native Russian-speaking listeners as well. In addition to opera and concert performances, he is appreciated for his work in restoring respect in parlor songs of the late 19th and early 20th century. As a student at London's Guildhall School of Music, Luxon studied with Walther Grünner. After finding himself a prizewinner at Munich's International Voice Competition, he soon launched upon a career. Luxon became a member of the English Opera Group in 1963, accompanying the troupe to the Soviet Union during his first season. After success in such roles as Tarquinius in Britten's The Rape of Lucretia and Sid in Albert Herring, Britten called upon Luxon to sing the role of Owen Wingrave for that opera's 1971 television production premiere. Also during 1971, he appeared with the English Opera Group at the San Francisco Opera. The British company presented its production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Luxon sang the role of Demetrius. In 1972, Luxon made his Glyndebourne Festival debut singing the title role in Raymond Leppard's celebrated realization of Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse. During that same year, his Covent Garden debut took place as the Jester in Peter Maxwell Davies' Taverner. A later return as Yevgeny Onegin established Luxon as one of the leading interpreters of Tchaikovsky's anti-hero. Onegin served as Luxon's calling card for a Metropolitan Opera debut in February 1980. In 1986, Luxon made his La Scala debut, and in 1988, he sang the title role in Wozzeck for Los Angeles. For the English National Opera, the baritone sang the title role in Verdi's Falstaff in 1992. In addition to frequent appearances in Munich and with the Wiener Staatsoper, Luxon sang in Switzerland at both Geneva and Berne. During the final years of his career, Luxon suffered from the onset of deafness.
© Erik Eriksson /TiVo
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Ireland: The Songs
Benjamin Luxon, John Mitchinson, Alfreda Hodgson, Alan Rowlands
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Lyrita on Jul. 1, 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Alwyn: Miss Julie
Philharmonia Orchestra, Benjamin Luxon, Jill Gomez, Vilem Tausky, Della Jones, John Mitchinson
Opera - Released by Lyrita on Nov. 1, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Dicky Bird & the Owl: Victorian Songs and Ballads
Benjamin Luxon, Robert Tear, André Previn
Classical - Released by Warner Classics on Mar. 5, 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Handel: Acis & Galatea
Jill Gomez, Philip Langridge, Robert Tear, Benjamin Luxon, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Classical - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on Jan. 1, 1998
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
G. Butterworth & Gurney: Songs
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Chandos on Jun. 1, 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Mussorgsky: Songs and Dances of Death; Sunless
Benjamin Luxon, David Willison
Classical - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on Jan. 1, 1972
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Victorian and Edwardian Ballads
Benjamin Luxon, David Willison, Felicity Palmer, John Constable
Classical - Released by Decca Music Group Ltd. on Jan. 1, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Home, Sweet Home: Victorian Songs and Ballads, Vol. 2
Benjamin Luxon, Robert Tear, André Previn
Classical - Released by Warner Classics on Aug. 27, 2021
24-Bit 192.0 kHz - Stereo -
Vaughan Williams: Songs of Travel, 4 Poems by Fredegond Shove, The House of Life
Art Songs, Mélodies & Lieder - Released by Chandos on Dec. 1, 1986
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Benjamin Luxon Sings Vaughan Williams Songs Of Travel & The House of Life
Benjamin Luxon, David Willison
Mélodies - Released by Chandos on Dec. 1, 1986
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Benjamin Luxon sings Britten Songs Cycles
Benjamin Luxon, David Willison
Mélodies - Released by Chandos on Apr. 1, 1987
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
DOWN BY THE SALLY GARDENS
Classical - Released by Chandos on Jul. 1, 1992
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Elgar & Delius: Songs
Classical - Released by Chandos on Mar. 1, 1987
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Warlock Songs
Classical - Released by Chandos on Sep. 1, 1988
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schwanengesang (Chant du cygne)
Art Songs, Mélodies & Lieder - Released by Chandos on Mar. 1, 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Haydn: The Creation
Klaus Tennstedt, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Lucia Popp, Anthony rolfe Johnson, Benjamin Luxon
Sacred Oratorios - Released by London Philharmonic Orchestra on Feb. 1, 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Schubert: Winterreise, Op. 89
Classical - Released by Chandos on Aug. 1, 1990
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Stanford: Songs of the Sea, Songs of the Fleet & Symphony No. 3 "Irish"
Benjamin Luxon, Norman Del Mar
Classical - Released by Warner Classics on Mar. 29, 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Alwyn: Mirages, Divertimento, Naiades, Fantasy Waltzes & Sonata alla toccata
Benjamin Luxon, Christopher Hyde-Smith, Sheila Randell, David Willison, Marisa Robles
Classical - Released by Lyrita on May 13, 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Benjamin Luxon Sings Quilter Songs
Benjamin Luxon, David Willison
Mélodies - Released by Chandos on Sep. 1, 1989
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo