Gloriana - what else?

[teamsaint]

A long time on from the previous post on this thread.
I'm listening to the Knussen " Prince of the Pagodas" , not knowing the work at all. Anybody got further thoughts since 2012 on this ?

I'm enjoying it a lot, and thought I noticed some similarity in style to Adam Zero in a couple of sections, although that may be more down to what can be made to work as a ballet .

I'm tempted to wonder if skill set required in setting songs is quite close to those required for setting movement, if that is the right term, which it probably isn't.

[Serial_Apologist]

A long time on from the previous post on this thread.
I'm listening to the Knussen " Prince of the Pagodas" , not knowing the work at all. Anybody got further thoughts since 2012 on this ?

I'm enjoying it a lot, and thought I noticed some similarity in style to Adam Zero in a couple of sections, although that may be more down to what can be made to work as a ballet .

I'm tempted to wonder if skill set required in setting songs is quite close to those required for setting movement, if that is the right term, which it probably isn't.

That reminds me of an interview of Michael Parkinson, in which he remembered at the age of 14 seeing Ella Fitgerald at Ronnie Scott's, and telling her how much he'd enjoyed it. "You enjoyed my act, did you?" she asked him; "Er, yes", replied Parky shyly, "I liked the way you moved". "Oh you liked the way I moved, eh? If you like the way I moved, come up to my hotel room, and I'll show you how I move!"

[Conchis]

Gloriana is one of the strongest Britten operas and Charles Mackerass' 1992, recording, with Jospehine Barstow, is outstanding.

The current Covent Garden production shows Richard Jones at his very best: worth travelling many miles to see.

[Once Was 4]

As anyone who saw the Opera North Phyllida Lloyd production should agree, it rivals Peter Grimes as one of his best operas. We would have followed Josephine Barstow down south to remove the present incumbent. Who will play Elizabeth? That would be critical.

Some of the audience in Spain did not like it when we did it there! Didn't like all that stuff about the armada.

[hmvman]

A long time on from the previous post on this thread.
I'm listening to the Knussen " Prince of the Pagodas" , not knowing the work at all. Anybody got further thoughts since 2012 on this ?

I'm enjoying it a lot, and thought I noticed some similarity in style to Adam Zero in a couple of sections, although that may be more down to what can be made to work as a ballet .

I'm tempted to wonder if skill set required in setting songs is quite close to those required for setting movement, if that is the right term, which it probably isn't.

That Knussen recording is very fine IMO, and hugely enjoyable. I'd very much like to see a production of the ballet and had hoped that there would be a 'cinecast' of it during the Britten centenary year but, alas, there wasn't one.

I would also share the opinion that 'Gloriana' is a fine opera and it's a pity its reputation of being a failure still lingers.

[Once Was 4]

There are currently two DVD's One is an ENO production with Sarah Walker as a magnificent Elizabeth. She sings and acts regally. The rest of the cast are superb and Mark Elder makes his mark (sorry about that) as a Britten conductor. The other production from Opera North is presented as a film about the production. Paul Daniel is the equal of Elder. Maybe one or two small parts are weaker. For me I could not listen to Josephine Barstow as Elizabeth too often. She acts superbly, scattering the cast and scenery in all directions, but by the time she was filmed as Gloriana she had sung Verdi and big roles for many years and her voice is harsh and worn.

Hmmm! I remember in a camera rehearsal, one of the cameramen roaming the stage and pretending to film things tried to scatter the on-stage trumpeters when they got in his way. Apart from any other consideration, if you want to damage a brass player's embouchure, pushing her/him whilst playing is the best way to do it. The camera chap got a real roasting from the rostrum for this

My first experience of Josephine Barstow was in 1970 or 71 when she sang Violetta for Yorkshire Opera - an earlier attempt to get an opera company going in Yorkshire. The conductor was Stanford Robinson. It was a fine thing for me to watch Ms Barstow - what a fine artist! - develop over the years. That film showed her as an ageing artist playing an ageing queen. Just how many prima donnas would do that - none I warrant.

[LMcD]

As it happens, the orchestral suite Op 53a is currently being played on Radio 3 as a post-concert 'filler'.

[Stanley Stewart]

Indeed, I also recall seeing the great Barstow as Gloriana at Leeds Grand, circa 1994, as well as the span of my London years at the Coli and ENO in particular.in the 60s onwards Must now seek out my Gloriana video to DVD recording which I havent seen for some time. A remarkable stage presence.

[hmvman]

Indeed, I also recall seeing the great Barstow as Gloriana at Leeds Grand, circa 1994, as well as the span of my London years at the Coli and ENO in particular.in the 60s onwards Must now seek out my Gloriana video to DVD recording which I havent seen for some time. A remarkable stage presence.

That 1990s Leeds production was my first encounter with this opera, Stanley. Magnificent!

[JimD]

Goes head to head with the World Cup this evening I believe. How will the forum split? A nation holds its breath.

[MrGongGong]

Goes head to head with the World Cup this evening I believe. How will the forum split? A nation holds its breath.

3 ways at least
a beer in the garden beats any of that

[Richard Barrett]

3 ways at least
a beer in the garden beats any of that

Gosh yes, football... or Britten... or SOMETHING GOOD? It's a tough call.

[vinteuil]

Gosh yes, football... or Britten... or SOMETHING GOOD? It's a tough call.

.



... here a bottle of wine in the back garden and now 'Hidden' [ 'Craith' ] on BBC4.




.

[JimD]

I don't recall hearing anyone comment on the fact that Britten had a bit of form in being adjudged to have misunderstood the expectations of those commissioning a piece: I mean in the Sinfonia da requiem. I don't seek to draw any conclusions from either episode. However one might expect the parallels to attract some attention, given that both incidents were high profile, or at least are still regularly referred to.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

... and now 'Hidden' [ 'Craith' ] on BBC4.

Mi, yn rhy! Enjoying this - sort of Y Gwyll without the chuckles.