Prom 64: Berlioz - Les Troyens, ORR / Monteverdi Choir, Sousa, Sun. 3 Sept. 2023

[bluestateprommer]

Sunday 3 September 2023
16:00
Royal Albert Hall

Berlioz: Les Troyens (The Trojans)
(concert performance with two intervals; first performance on period instruments at The Proms)

Laurence Kilsby (Iopas, Hylas; Proms debut artist)
Rebecca Evans (Hécube [Hecuba])
Alex Rosen (Hector, Sentinelle II, Narbal; Proms debut artist)
Alice Coote (Cassandre [Cassandra])
Michael Spyres (Énée [Aeneas])
Tristan Hambleton (Priam)
Paula Murrihy (Didon [Dido])
Lionel Lhote (Chorèbe [Coroebus])
Adèle Charvet (Ascagne [Ascanius])
Ashley Riches (Panthée [Panthus])
Beth Taylor (Anna; Proms debut artist)

Tess Gibbs, stage/movement director
Rick Fisher, lighting designer

Monteverdi Choir
Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique
Dinis Sousa, conductor

https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ec8fbp

https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/proms/bbc-proms-2023/prom-64-berliozs-the-trojans/

[Bryn]

I am sorely tempted to attend. I guess that with it starting so early, they plan it to be well and truly over by 10 p.m. That's when the last bus with a connection (with a 1-hour wait in Windsor) leaves Victoria, stopping close to the RAH at about 10.15. I would just have to hobble down to the Arena. I don't believe in paying for a seat at the Proms. It's 55 years since I queued all night for the first complete performance (in English) at the Proms, with Colin Davis at the helm.

[Darkbloom]

I am sorely tempted to attend. I guess that with it starting so early, they plan it to be well and truly over by 10 p.m. That's when the last bus with a connection (with a 1-hour wait in Windsor) leaves Victoria, stopping close to the RAH at about 10.15. I would just have to hobble down to the Arena. I don't believe in paying for a seat at the Proms. It's 55 years since I queued all night for the first complete performance (in English) at the Proms, with Colin Davis at the helm.

I've been there the last two times it's been done at the Proms and even a half-decent performance would make it worthwhile to attend. I think it has its longeurs (the death of Dido goes on far too long for my liking and I don't feel HB was at his most inspired by that point) but overall it's one of the great live experiences and was the one thing that really caught my attention at this year's Proms. I hope they get the entrances and exits sorted out by then.

[ARBurton]

Had forgotten how much I love Troyens. So many amazing bits - the closing stages of Act 1 currently playing with that relentless build and build before the clash of arms..... But I do wish audiences wouldn`t erupt halfway through Aeneas` "Inutile regrets" in Act 5!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Enjoying this but do the brass and drums have to be that dominant in the mix?

[ARBurton]

Does R3 Martin Handley have to be so dominant! Talking over the start of Act 2 and continuing determined to finish his sentence!!! JUST SHUT UP, man!!!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Does R3 Martin Handley have to be so dominant! Talking over the start of Act 2 and continuing determined to finish his sentence!!! JUST SHUT UP, man!!!

To be fair he might not have been aware if he was reading a script and had his headphones turned down.

[edashtav]

Had forgotten how much I love Troyens. So many amazing bits - the closing stages of Act 1 currently playing with that relentless build and build before the clash of arms..... But I do wish audiences wouldn`t erupt halfway through Aeneas` "Inutile regrets" in Act 5!

Oh yes Troyens is like a Mahler symphony in embracing, seemingly, the whole world. So much that is novel. However, for the first time, I heard the influence of Rameaus.it was all projected in a lively and colourful manner. I did feel the Royal Hunt and Storm would have gained from some more relaxed tempi.

The soloists were very convincing. Yes the brass had a whaleof a time, I wonder whether JEG would have kept them in check?

A warm welcome from me - such rare events are the stuff that justify lavish festivals such as the Proms.
Somewhere… I have an ancient, flaky score. Dare I get it outt, or will I be given dusting duties for weeks to come?

[RichardB]

the brass had a whaleof a time, I wonder whether JEG would have kept them in check?

You mean like knocking a few of their teeth out?

[Ein Heldenleben]

You mean like knocking a few of their teeth out?

if ever triumph was snatched from the jaws of disaster then tonight was the night. It’s absolutely tremendous.

[RichardB]

if ever triumph was snatched from the jaws of disaster then tonight was the night. It’s absolutely tremendous.

I'm looking forward very much to listening to it.

[Bryn]

I'm looking forward very much to listening to it.

I hope MH's ha’p’orth of tar does not spoil it too much for you.

[Hanners1]

Does it never occur to people that the conductor may not have waited for the agreed red light, and that I was left stranded? I didn’t glance up at the nanno second when Dinis started - not least because I believed all was well. And by the way, the team managed to fill all the other spaces without you being aware that all sorts of things were going on. Give me a break!

[Ein Heldenleben]

Does it never occur to people that the conductor may not have waited for the agreed red light, and that I was left stranded? I didn’t glance up at the nanno second when Dinis started - not least because I believed all was well. And by the way, the team managed to fill all the other spaces without you being aware that all sorts of things were going on. Give me a break!

If that is indeed MH posting can I just say that you and the team did a superb job tonight with some excellent and informative interval features, wonderful sound balance and first rate presentation? If it isn’t MH it’s a very plausible explanation . And anyway I rather liked the voiceover effect.

[Hanners1]

Thank you Heldenleben, that's very kind and makes me feel better after a day starting at 5am for BF….and now with a cancelled train at Victoria.