Notes and Editorial Reviews
These recordings of four of Britten’s operas conducted by the composer are all
classics. Owen
Wingrave remains unique as an audio recording and this reissue restores it to
the catalogue. In addition, these recordings feature many of the singers who
were involved in the creation of these operas — not least Peter Pears in the
title-role of the earliest of the operas featured, Peter Grimes. This was the first
complete recording of what was quickly acknowledged as a landmark work of
international stature.
These recordings of four of Britten’s operas conducted by the composer are all
classics. Owen
Wingrave remains unique as an audio recording and this reissue restores it to
the catalogue. In addition, these recordings feature many of the singers who
were involved in the creation of these operas — not least Peter Pears in the
title-role of the earliest of the operas featured, Peter Grimes. This was the first
complete recording of what was quickly acknowledged as a landmark work of
international stature. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Albert Herring, Op. 39 by Benjamin Britten
Performer:
Sheila Amit (Soprano),
Catherine Wilson (Mezzo Soprano),
Owen Brannigan (Bass),
Edgar Evans (Tenor),
Sheila Rex (Mezzo Soprano),
Sylvia Fisher (Soprano),
April Cantelo (Soprano),
John Noble (Baritone),
Joseph Ward (Baritone),
Peter Pears (Tenor),
Anne Pashley (Soprano),
Stephen Terry (Boy Soprano),
Johanna Peters (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Benjamin Britten
Orchestra/Ensemble:
English Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1947; England
Length: 139 Minutes 56 Secs.
Language: English
2.
Owen Wingrave, Op. 85 by Benjamin Britten
Performer:
Heather Harper (Soprano),
Dame Janet Baker (Mezzo Soprano),
Benjamin Luxon (Baritone),
Peter Pears (Tenor),
John Shirley-Quirk (Bass Baritone),
Sylvia Fisher (Soprano),
Jennifer Vyvyan (Soprano),
Nigel Douglas (Tenor)
Conductor:
Benjamin Britten
Orchestra/Ensemble:
English Chamber Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1970; England
Length: 128 Minutes 40 Secs.
Language: English
3.
Billy Budd, Op. 50 by Benjamin Britten
Performer:
Michael Langdon (Bass),
Robert Tear (Tenor),
Peter Glossop (Baritone),
John Shirley-Quirk (Bass Baritone),
Peter Pears (Tenor),
Bryan Drake (Baritone),
David [bass baritone] Kelly (Bass),
Owen Brannigan (Bass),
David Bowman (Baritone),
Delme Bryn-Jones (Baritone),
Eric Garrett (Baritone),
Benjamin Luxon (Baritone),
Nigel Rogers (Tenor),
Norman Lumsden (Bass)
Conductor:
Benjamin Britten
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra,
Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1951/1960; England
Length: 161 Minutes 1 Secs.
Language: English
4.
Peter Grimes, Op. 33 by Benjamin Britten
Performer:
James Pease (Baritone),
Raymond Nilsson (Tenor),
David [bass baritone] Kelly (Bass),
Lauris Elms (Mezzo Soprano),
David Bowman (Baritone),
Owen Brannigan (Bass),
Peter Pears (Tenor),
Marion Studholme (Soprano),
Jean Watson (Alto),
John Lanigan (Tenor),
Iris Kells (Soprano),
Claire Watson (Soprano),
Sir Geraint Evans (Bass)
Conductor:
Benjamin Britten
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Orchestra,
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1944-1945; England
Length: 122 Minutes 23 Secs.
Language: English
Notes: Composition written: England (1944 - 1945).
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