Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Benjamin Britten's own recordings of his operas must be considered authoritative, but any great art can yield insights from a variety of interpretations, and an objective performer may find felicities in a score of which the composer was hardly aware. Additionally, new recording technology can create a truer realization of the sound, and in vocal music, the quality of voices in subsequent productions can surpass the originals, so new recordings are always welcome.
Virgin's reissue of its 1993 recording of A Midsummer Night's Dream, conducted by Richard Hickox is notable for how closely it resembles Britten's 1966 version in many aspects. The sound quality is somewhat fuller than Britten's, and orchestral details emerge with more clarity, but the engineers have gone overboard in duplicating the spatial relationships of a stage performance, so there is a distracting variability in the soloists' miking; some are very close and some are so distant as to be nearly inaudible. It may be an accurate replication of the theater experience, but more sonic consistency would have been less annoying. (Some decisions seem random; Lysander almost always sounds distant, and Demetrius, close. The miking is, however, very effective in capturing Puck's fleet leaps from near to far.) The soloists in the two versions are similar in quality, which is very high, as well as in interpretation. Britten's conducting of the diaphanous opening and the fairies' sound world has a magic that Hickox's does not, but Hickox's handling of the comic elements is generally more deft and funnier, except for the play of Pyramus and Thisbe, which Britten handles incomparably. Britten's reading of the score unfolds more organically, while Hickox is less successful in making the sound worlds of the fairies, the mortals, and the mechanicals flow together as an integrated whole. If a choice must be made, Britten's original remains the preferred version, but not by so large a margin as to disqualify Hickox's very reputable effort, which has much to recommend it.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From kr124,99/month
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Trinity Boys' Choir, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Lillian Watson, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Trinity Boys' Choir, Choir, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Simon Foster, Producer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Adrian Thompson, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Andrew Gallacher, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Robert Horn, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roger Bryson, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Richard Suart, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Lillian Watson, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Benjamin Britten, Composer
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Trinity Boys' Choir, Choir, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Adrian Thompson, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Andrew Gallacher, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Robert Horn, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist - Roger Bryson, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Richard Suart, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Lillian Watson, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Trinity Boys' Choir, Choir, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Lillian Watson, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Benjamin Britten, Composer
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Lillian Watson, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Trinity Boys' Choir, Choir, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Lillian Watson, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
DISC 2
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Trinity Boys' Choir, Choir, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Lillian Watson, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Adrian Thompson, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Andrew Gallacher, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Robert Horn, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roger Bryson, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Richard Suart, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Penelope Walker, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Adrian Thompson, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Andrew Gallacher, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Robert Horn, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roger Bryson, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Richard Suart, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Penelope Walker, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roger Bryson, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Robert Horn, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Adrian Thompson, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Robert Horn, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Penelope Walker, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Andrew Gallacher, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Adrian Thompson, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Andrew Gallacher, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Richard Suart, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Penelope Walker, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Penelope Walker, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Adrian Thompson, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Della Jones, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Benjamin Britten, Composer - Donald Maxwell, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Norman Bailey, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Jill Gomez, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - John Graham-Hall, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Henry Herford, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Adrian Thompson, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Andrew Gallacher, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Robert Horn, Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Roger Bryson, Baritone Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Richard Suart, Bass Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Penelope Walker, Mezzo-soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
City Of London Sinfonia, Orchestra - Richard Hickox, Conductor, MainArtist - Andrew Keener, Producer - Mark Vigars, Engineer - Lillian Watson, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Benjamin Britten, Composer - James Bowman, Counter-Tenor Vocals, FeaturedArtist - Trinity Boys' Choir, Choir, FeaturedArtist - Dexter Fletcher, Narrator, FeaturedArtist
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
Album review
Benjamin Britten's own recordings of his operas must be considered authoritative, but any great art can yield insights from a variety of interpretations, and an objective performer may find felicities in a score of which the composer was hardly aware. Additionally, new recording technology can create a truer realization of the sound, and in vocal music, the quality of voices in subsequent productions can surpass the originals, so new recordings are always welcome.
Virgin's reissue of its 1993 recording of A Midsummer Night's Dream, conducted by Richard Hickox is notable for how closely it resembles Britten's 1966 version in many aspects. The sound quality is somewhat fuller than Britten's, and orchestral details emerge with more clarity, but the engineers have gone overboard in duplicating the spatial relationships of a stage performance, so there is a distracting variability in the soloists' miking; some are very close and some are so distant as to be nearly inaudible. It may be an accurate replication of the theater experience, but more sonic consistency would have been less annoying. (Some decisions seem random; Lysander almost always sounds distant, and Demetrius, close. The miking is, however, very effective in capturing Puck's fleet leaps from near to far.) The soloists in the two versions are similar in quality, which is very high, as well as in interpretation. Britten's conducting of the diaphanous opening and the fairies' sound world has a magic that Hickox's does not, but Hickox's handling of the comic elements is generally more deft and funnier, except for the play of Pyramus and Thisbe, which Britten handles incomparably. Britten's reading of the score unfolds more organically, while Hickox is less successful in making the sound worlds of the fairies, the mortals, and the mechanicals flow together as an integrated whole. If a choice must be made, Britten's original remains the preferred version, but not by so large a margin as to disqualify Hickox's very reputable effort, which has much to recommend it.
© TiVo
About the album
- 2 disc(s) - 41 track(s)
- Total length: 02:34:08
- Main artists: Richard Hickox
- Composer: Benjamin Britten
- Label: Warner Classics
- Genre: Classical
- Collection: The Home of Opera
A Warner Classics/Erato release, © 1993 Parlophone Records Limited A Warner Classics/Erato release, ℗ 1993 Parlophone Records Limited
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.