Rape of Lucretia

[Quarky]

One of my preferred Britten Operas. I have enjoyed this in the past when I was able to give it undivided attention, but last night I was continually distracted.

Is this particular performance worth another listen? Or perhaps better off with YouTube?

[Dave2002]

I'm really not sure. I saw the performance live, so the on stage action either provided more interest or more distraction.
If you have enjoyed listening to this opera in the past it might be worth giving this another shot, as I believe that the performance and production were considered good. For my part, I have seen the opera twice now - I think the first time was probably with Janet Baker decades ago. I am not rushing to see or hear it again, but your starting position is different as you have declared previous enjoyment.

[Mary Chambers]

I didn't persist with listening last night, though I do like the opera. I was put off by the fact that the Male Chorus's words were unclear. Allan Clayton is a singer I admire very much, and I've never found him unclear before, but in Lucretia there's a lot of (too much?) complex text, and we need to hear it. I may go back to the broadcast later.

I've only seen it live once, in the Linbury some years ago with Christine Rice very moving in the title role. The Choruses were perfectly audible that time.

[David-G]

I saw this at Glyndebourne in October and enjoyed it very much. It brought back happy memories of seeing it at the ENO in the 80s (?) with Jean Rigby. I will look forward to listening to this again.

[Quarky]

Many thanks for comments. There are some versions on YouTube, and this seems the better option as far as I am concerned.

[Simon Biazeck]

I could understand all Clayton's words (I do know the rôle) although there didn't seem to be much difference between piano and forte which is a pity and not enough liquid legato in the first aria. Pears was so good at that. He, Clayton has a fine voice though, and for me it's far more preferable than Bostridge, whose mannerisms seem to pretty much govern his sound these days.