Britten: Double views of Gloriana on DVD(December 2006) Two alternative views of Benjamin Britten’s opera Gloriana have recently been released on DVD.
Phyllida Lloyd’s film, based around her acclaimed Opera North staging, is the more radical, exploring the split between the monarch’s public and private life through scenes set both onstage and backstage. Josephine Barstow develops still further her remarkable portrayal of Elizabeth I, Tom Randle is the impetuous Earl of Essex, and Paul Daniel conducts (Opus Arte OA 0955 D). “This is unquestionably among the finest opera films ever made. Phyllida Lloyd’s Opera North staging vindicated this problematic piece, but the film she also directed takes it to a new height of intensity… Lloyd’s camera captures the rhythm of the action and the changing scenes with exciting immediacy one moment, deep intimacy the next, staring mirror-close into Barstow’s deeply expressive features.” BBC Music Magazine Whereas Lloyd’s version has proved controversial for its cutting of a number of scenes, the full opera is also now available thanks to Arthaus’s reissue of the classic 1984 English National Opera production by Colin Graham (Arthaus Musik 102 097) with Sarah Walker in the title role: “Under Mark Elder the score is delivered by the London company with matchless conviction, commitment and certainty of purpose… No Essex has approached Rolfe Johnson for eloquence, suppleness and charm of phrase, for complete command of Britten’s Dowland-meets-Mussorgsky vocalità.” Opera Buy the Opera North Gloriana from Amazon Buy the English National Opera Gloriana from Amazon Plans are underway for a new staging of Gloriana at the Hamburg Staatstoper in 2009/10 as part of its ongoing Britten cycle under the baton of Simone Young, following the highly successful A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the forthcoming Billy Budd opening on 25 March. For full details of Britten's operas please visit our Opera website. > Further information on Work: Gloriana > News Search |
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