Chandos continues its admirable series of operas performed in English with Ariadne on Naxos. In a wordy opera like this it's particularly valuable to be able to understand the wit of the libretto, so for English speakers this recording could open up its humor. Such a venture can only succeed if the translation works, and Christopher Cowell's graceful, idiomatic, and singable version, made especially for the recording, is fully up to the challenge. Richard Armstrong leads the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a vivacious, well ...
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Chandos continues its admirable series of operas performed in English with Ariadne on Naxos. In a wordy opera like this it's particularly valuable to be able to understand the wit of the libretto, so for English speakers this recording could open up its humor. Such a venture can only succeed if the translation works, and Christopher Cowell's graceful, idiomatic, and singable version, made especially for the recording, is fully up to the challenge. Richard Armstrong leads the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a vivacious, well-paced performance that beautifully captures the tricky balance between lushness and delicacy the score demands. The vocal performances are solid, if not always spectacular. Christine Brewer is a very strong Ariadne, ardent and strongly characterized, even she if she doesn't quite have the ideal luminosity. Gillian Keith's Zerbinetta has the technical demands fully and effortlessly in hand, but her voice lacks the gleam to make her vocal acrobatics as astonishing as they should be. As...
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Seller's Description:
New. Size: 5x5x1; brand new in original shrinkwrap; because we care that your order arrives in the condition stated, we have additionally sealed the case in bubblewrap for added protection during shipment.
