Britten on the Beach

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I'm reviewing Wednesday's performance, returning home via the opening night of Richard Jones' production of Gloriana at the ROH the next day. It has been suggested I adopt beachwear - for which read Souwester, oilskins plus several layers - in the Floral Hall...

I think the chorus is singing live with their own recording as back-up!

This is what I've read as well, Mary. It's only the soloists who will be wearing radio microphones, so the chorus will rely on pre-recorded material to 'enhance' its sound.

Tenor Christopher Gillett, singing Rev Horace Adams, has been blogging about rehearsals here:

http://sinfinimusic.com/uk/features/2013/06/grimes-on-the-beach-3/

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Sorry to be the one spoil the positive euphoria on this, but what's the point of doing a production that makes the soloists the prisoner of whatever the condutor decided several weeks/months ago? It would have been far better to have recorded the soloists as well. Then everyone could mime.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Sorry to be the one spoil the positive euphoria on this, but what's the point of doing a production that makes the soloists the prisoner of whatever the condutor decided several weeks/months ago? It would have been far better to have recorded the soloists as well. Then everyone could mime.

The soloists, chorus and conductor are all the same as the ones who gave concert performances in Snape Maltings last week, so are hardly likely to have altered their interpretations significantly in the meantime. If you heard Music Matters last Saturday, it was revealed that rather than just a 'backing tape', Steuart Bedford will have extra elements of control from his conducting 'bunker' on the beach, enabling him to react to events on the stage.

[Mary Chambers]

Tenor Christopher Gillett, singing Rev Horace Adams, has been blogging about rehearsals here:

http://sinfinimusic.com/uk/features/...n-the-beach-3/

I never miss Mr Gillett if I can help it. He's revealing about the realities of a singer's life, and also good fun. I'm assuming you've read 'Who's My Bottom'?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

The soloists, chorus and conductor are all the same as the ones who gave concert performances in Snape Maltings last week, so are hardly likely to have altered their interpretations significantly in the meantime. If you heard Music Matters last Saturday, it was revealed that rather than just a 'backing tape', Steuart Bedford will have extra elements of control from his conducting 'bunker' on the beach, enabling him to react to events on the stage.

That does sound a little better.

[mercia]

pictures

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-22938641

picture slideshow - press >

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/interactive/2013/jun/17/peter-grimes-on-the-beach-aldeburgh-britten-audio-slideshow

[Mary Chambers]

The feedback has been very positive, but I gather it was very, very cold - not freezing temperatures but a bitter wind. It must have been an astonishing experience.

[mercia]

has it been set in the 1940s ?
the review I've just read says it opens with a plane roaring along the beach

[Mary Chambers]

has it been set in the 1940s ?
the review I've just read says it opens with a plane roaring along the beach

Yes, it is, but I don't know whether the warplane (a Spitfire) was coincidence or not. Everyone seemed to think it was exciting, but I could only think how Britten would have hated it.

[ardcarp]

My daughter was there, and yes it was windy and a bit overcast, and indeed the fly-past was stunning...and I gather, planned. Although cloudy, the sunset was atmospheric followed by a suggestion of an eerie mist as the light faded. With the fishing boats, it was all truly Grimes-ish (well, not the aeroplane). From Ms Ardcarp's £10 seat (a personal patch of shingle) everything was perfectly clear. The soloists were miked, and yes the chorus was singing...but to their own pre-recorded sound. Mr Oke (Grimes) was apparently impressive with a somewhat Pears-like upper register but a richer 'bottom' if you'll pardon the expression. I'm sure all this appears in various reviews, but from the horse's mouth it was 'amazing' and 'an experience of a lifetime'. Ah, but we old codgers saw it live with Pears and Heather Harper....

[ARBurton]

Looking forward to seeing this at the cinema - will makes a nice contrast from the Wagner in which I am drowning (WNO Lohengrin and Longborough Ring)

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

I'm assuming you've read 'Who's My Bottom'?

Yes, there are some great anecdotes which had me laughing out loud, but also offers a real insight into the 'glamorous' life of a singer on the operatic hamster wheel.

[ardcarp]

Guardian review:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jun/18/peter-grimes-on-the-beach-aldeburgh-festival-review

[Mr Pee]

And one from The Arts Desk:-

http://www.theartsdesk.com/opera/peter-grimes-aldeburgh-beach

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

Guardian review:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013...estival-review

I went last night. Here's my review:

http://www.opera-britannia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=952:grimes-on-the-beach-aldeburgh-festival-19th-june-2013-&catid=8:opera-reviews&Itemid=16