Britten @ The South Bank

[verismissimo]

Is this a first on these boards? A thread whose subject has not been mentioned once by Reply 15?

Anyway, the Peter Grimes at Symphony Hall in Brum was absolutely first rate. LPO in top form. Jurowski's first pass at the work - he conducted Albert Herring at Glyndebourne in his first season there - completely inside the music. Wonderful Grimes of Stuart Skelton, really one to compete with Jon Vickers, but more intensely human it seemed to me. Superb Ellen Orford from Pamela Armstrong. Altogether a strong cast, all of whom acted and sang in this concert rendering without scores.

I mention all this because it's to be repeated at the RFH this evening. Scurry along!

[MrGongGong]

It's a record indeed !

I don't know
One tries to draw folks attention to something interesting because one of your mates sent you a link to it
and all they want to do is to talk about her hair stylee ?

I mean, it's not that I of all people would take a discussion off down a wee side track is it ?

[Nick Armstrong]

Useful schedule of all the events inc the free 'Noye's Fludde' performances this afternoon in the foyer:

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Classical-2013-14/Britten-s-Centenary-weekend-timetable.pdf

Still agonising about failing to take advantage of any of this weekend, but prior commitments make it tricky.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Useful schedule of all the events inc the free 'Noye's Fludde' performances this afternoon in the foyer:

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Classical-2013-14/Britten-s-Centenary-weekend-timetable.pdf

Still agonising about failing to take advantage of any of this weekend, but prior commitments make it tricky.

I caught a little of Noye's Fludde this afternoon, just before interviewing Stuart Skelton who then went on to give his fourth performance in as many days: Florestan - Grimes - Florestan - Grimes. The guy's got stamina!

[makropulos]

I caught a little of Noye's Fludde this afternoon, just before interviewing Stuart Skelton who then went on to give his fourth performance in as many days: Florestan - Grimes - Florestan - Grimes. The guy's got stamina!

I went to the whole of the 4:00 pm Noye's Fludde, before going on to Grimes in the hall. What a truly first rate afternoon and evening. Jurowski, the cast (especially Skelton, Armstrong and Opie) and the LPO gave a stunning performance. I thought Skelton was a remarkable Grimes –none of the Vickers ham-acting, and some beautiful quiet singing as well as plenty of heft when it was needed. But a characterization of extraordinary intensity. As for the orchestra, I've heard Grimes live a great many times, and I don't think I've ever heard it played so well–nor with such attention to detail and colour. Marvellous. Noye's Fludde gets me every time –I always love seeing it, and was greatly moved. Imaginatively directed too. As far as I'm concerned, it's been a really splendid day! Apparently Michael Berkeley's talk was delightful too, but sadly I didn't get down in time to hear it.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Jurowski, the cast (especially Skelton, Armstrong and Opie) and the LPO gave a stunning performance. I thought Skelton was a remarkable Grimes –none of the Vickers ham-acting, and some beautiful quiet singing as well as plenty of heft when it was needed. But a characterization of extraordinary intensity. As for the orchestra, I've heard Grimes live a great many times, and I don't think I've ever heard it played so well–nor with such attention to detail and colour. Marvellous.

Yes, a remarkable performance in many ways. I especially liked the semi-staging by Danny Slater, which gave just enough action. Skelton is indeed quite something - powerful and intense - and Alan Opie's Balstrode was perfectly judged. The LPO sounded fabulous, although I did feel that Vladimir Jurowski whipped through parts of the score too quickly at times. "What harbour shelters peace?" Not this one, that's for sure!

[makropulos]

Yes, a remarkable performance in many ways. I especially liked the semi-staging by Danny Slater, which gave just enough action. Skelton is indeed quite something - powerful and intense - and Alan Opie's Balstrode was perfectly judged. The LPO sounded fabulous, although I did feel that Vladimir Jurowski whipped through parts of the score too quickly at times. "What harbour shelters peace?" Not this one, that's for sure!

Quickly, certainly –Old Joe seemingly went fishing in a speedboat –but it never felt too quick to me because the rhythmic tension was always there. Absolutely agree about Alan Opie –and he looked the part wonderfully too.

[Mary Chambers]

I'm very sad to have missed the performances of Noye's Fludde, and sadder still that my grandchildren are still too young for it. There are so many performances this year that we'll be lucky if there are any when they are the right age.

I'd have been interested to see John Bridcut, too.

[makropulos]

I'm very sad to have missed the performances of Noye's Fludde, and sadder still that my grandchildren are still too young for it. There are so many performances this year that we'll be lucky if there are any when they are the right age.

I'd have been interested to see John Bridcut, too.

I think they're doing it again on 12 October (according to the piece of paper we had with the hymn words). The production of Noye's Fludde was very ingenious and I found it hugely effective. The placards about climate change before the start suggested something a bit preachy, but that was it as far as any "message" went, apart from what's in the story itself. I liked the portrayal of Mrs Noye as a slightly brainless party girl, and Noye himself was nobly sung and acted. Noye's children were splendid, and the instrumentalists (the quartet from the LPO) were smashing. The casting of God was rather a brilliant stroke. I always find it hard to be objective about Noye –as soon as the bells and bugles start the last scene I usually dissolve completely, and did so yesterday. Superb congregational singing, by the way: I think people were there to sing NF as much as to watch it, judging from the lusty contributions of everyone standing around me.

[Mary Chambers]

I always find it hard to be objective about Noye –as soon as the bells and bugles start the last scene I usually dissolve completely, and did so yesterday

It has that effect on me, too. I don't think I've ever got through a performance entirely dry-eyed, and it's so hard to define why.

[amateur51]

I think they're doing it again on 12 October (according to the piece of paper we had with the hymn words). The production of Noye's Fludde was very ingenious and I found it hugely effective. The placards about climate change before the start suggested something a bit preachy, but that was it as far as any "message" went, apart from what's in the story itself. I liked the portrayal of Mrs Noye as a slightly brainless party girl, and Noye himself was nobly sung and acted. Noye's children were splendid, and the instrumentalists (the quartet from the LPO) were smashing. The casting of God was rather a brilliant stroke. I always find it hard to be objective about Noye –as soon as the bells and bugles start the last scene I usually dissolve completely, and did so yesterday. Superb congregational singing, by the way: I think people were there to sing NF as much as to watch it, judging from the lusty contributions of everyone standing around me.

Many thanks makropoulos for your reports on what was clearly a great day

[MrGongGong]

Many thanks makropoulos for your reports on what was clearly a great day

yeah yeah Britten blah blah Aldeburgh blah blah Noye's Fludde drone drone
What we really want to know about is Gillian Moore's hairstyle

shame I missed it ...... shed mending (which isn't a euphemism for making percussion parts !)