Having mentioned this elsewhere, I thought it was worth reporting that Sita's October 2024 world premiere in Germany, to celebrate the composer's 150th birthday year - more than anything he got over here, to our shame - was generally very well received.
Here's a translated extract from the full review in The German Stage:
Note that a German critic is not afraid to evoke Sullivan in the same breath as Wagner. We could learn from that, too.
But oh, to have seen Sita! No doubt we won't be hearing a recording of it on Radio 3, either. Much too long. Much too interesting.
Here's a translated extract from the full review in The German Stage:
Gustav Holst's sound language in „Sita“ also has references to Richard Wagner and his leitmotif technique, influences from Arthur Sullivan can also be heard Nevertheless, Holst has found his own style that reflects the conflicts resulting from divine mission and human inadequacies. Harmonious colours and clashes arise from the orchestral layering, which brings to mind Richard Strauss, but also the free tonality of the beginning of the 20th century.
Despite the lengths of the first act with its sometimes musically unconnected sequences of scenes, the work is dramaturgically cogent. The second act in particular, but also the third act, are captivating with their drama. They are created by Stefan Neubert and the Saarland State Orchestra in incredibly fresh and vivid, sparkling sound.
Despite the lengths of the first act with its sometimes musically unconnected sequences of scenes, the work is dramaturgically cogent. The second act in particular, but also the third act, are captivating with their drama. They are created by Stefan Neubert and the Saarland State Orchestra in incredibly fresh and vivid, sparkling sound.
But oh, to have seen Sita! No doubt we won't be hearing a recording of it on Radio 3, either. Much too long. Much too interesting.
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