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Peter Grimes/Gloriana
The English National Opera Guides were originally conceived in partnership with the English National Opera and edited by Nicholas John, the ENO's dramaturg, who died tragically in an accident in the Alps.
Most of the guides are devoted to a single opera, which is described in detail—with many articles that cover its history and information about the composer and his times. The complete libretto is included in both the original language and in a modern singing translation—except where the opera was written in English.
Each has a thematic guide to the most important musical themes in musical notation and each guide is lavishly illustrated. They also contain a bibliography and a discography which is updated at each reprint.
The ENO guides are widely regarded as the best series of their kind and excellent value.
Most of the guides are devoted to a single opera, which is described in detail—with many articles that cover its history and information about the composer and his times. The complete libretto is included in both the original language and in a modern singing translation—except where the opera was written in English.
Each has a thematic guide to the most important musical themes in musical notation and each guide is lavishly illustrated. They also contain a bibliography and a discography which is updated at each reprint.
The ENO guides are widely regarded as the best series of their kind and excellent value.
- GenresMusic
132 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 6, 2014
GLORIANA ONLY!
BBC BLURB: Commissioned by the Royal Opera House and 'dedicated by gracious permission to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in honour of whose coronation it was composed', Britten's 'Gloriana' is the story of an old queen's infatuation with a hot-headed younger man.
At its premiere, there were mutterings that the opera's emphasis on an ageing, ungracious monarch was an inappropriate way to celebrate the coronation. But sixty years later it's easier see that with its masterly exploration of the tension between public and private, heart and duty, and its contrasting scenes of grandeur and intimacy, 'Gloriana' is in fact among the finest of Britten's operas.
Broadcast live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, starring Susan Bullock as the Virgin Queen and Toby Spence as the impetuous Earl of Essex.
Presented by Louise Fryer in conversation with John Bridcut, including comments from performers and director Richard Jones. Plus the Radio 3 Opera Guide to Gloriana, with the Britten experts Paul Kildea and Philip Reed, and the soprano Dame Josephine Barstow.
Elizabeth I, Queen of England.....Susan Bullock (soprano)
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.....Toby Spence (tenor)
Frances Devereux, Lady Essex.....Patricia Bardon (mezzo-soprano)
Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy.....Mark Stone (baritone)
Penelope, Lady Rich.....Kate Royal (soprano)
Sir Robert Cecil.....Jeremy Carpenter (baritone)
Sir Walter Raleigh.....Clive Bayley (bass)
Henry Cuffe.....Ben Bevan (baritone)
Lady-in-Waiting.....Nadine Livingston (soprano)
Blind Ballad Singer.....Brindley Sherratt (bass)
Recorder of Norwich.....Jeremy White (bass)
Housewife.....Carol Rowlands (mezzo-soprano)
Spirit of the Masque.....Andrew Tortise (tenor)
Master of Ceremonies.....David Butt Philip (tenor)
City Crier.....Michel de Souza (baritone)
Chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Paul Daniel, conductor.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/...
See February House
BBC BLURB: Commissioned by the Royal Opera House and 'dedicated by gracious permission to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in honour of whose coronation it was composed', Britten's 'Gloriana' is the story of an old queen's infatuation with a hot-headed younger man.
At its premiere, there were mutterings that the opera's emphasis on an ageing, ungracious monarch was an inappropriate way to celebrate the coronation. But sixty years later it's easier see that with its masterly exploration of the tension between public and private, heart and duty, and its contrasting scenes of grandeur and intimacy, 'Gloriana' is in fact among the finest of Britten's operas.
Broadcast live from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, starring Susan Bullock as the Virgin Queen and Toby Spence as the impetuous Earl of Essex.
Presented by Louise Fryer in conversation with John Bridcut, including comments from performers and director Richard Jones. Plus the Radio 3 Opera Guide to Gloriana, with the Britten experts Paul Kildea and Philip Reed, and the soprano Dame Josephine Barstow.
Elizabeth I, Queen of England.....Susan Bullock (soprano)
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex.....Toby Spence (tenor)
Frances Devereux, Lady Essex.....Patricia Bardon (mezzo-soprano)
Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy.....Mark Stone (baritone)
Penelope, Lady Rich.....Kate Royal (soprano)
Sir Robert Cecil.....Jeremy Carpenter (baritone)
Sir Walter Raleigh.....Clive Bayley (bass)
Henry Cuffe.....Ben Bevan (baritone)
Lady-in-Waiting.....Nadine Livingston (soprano)
Blind Ballad Singer.....Brindley Sherratt (bass)
Recorder of Norwich.....Jeremy White (bass)
Housewife.....Carol Rowlands (mezzo-soprano)
Spirit of the Masque.....Andrew Tortise (tenor)
Master of Ceremonies.....David Butt Philip (tenor)
City Crier.....Michel de Souza (baritone)
Chorus and orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Paul Daniel, conductor.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/...
See February House
September 1, 2025
This "English National Opera Guide" supplies as much information as one can imagine without hearing a note. It focuses in turn on two special-occasion works by Britten, one early and the other mid-career.
Peter Grimes, Britten's first opera, was the first work staged after the war in Europe ended in June 1945. Two of the essays collected here date from that moment: one by E M Forster introduces 18th century poet George Crabbe, the other gives the original cast and the text by Montague Slater. Other essays comment on the music and explain the Sadler's Wells company's preference for a familiar favorite, not a new work.
Gloriana was created for a more auspicious occasion, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. Helpful and insightful essays discuss the librettist, the libretto, and the music. Highlights are a discussion of the inspiring novel by Lytton Strachey, Elizabeth and Essex, and an interview with the two original stars who played the pair.
Read after seeing and hearing the operas, this volume would fill in many background details about the works. Reading prior to a performance simply whets the appetite to witness productions live.
Peter Grimes, Britten's first opera, was the first work staged after the war in Europe ended in June 1945. Two of the essays collected here date from that moment: one by E M Forster introduces 18th century poet George Crabbe, the other gives the original cast and the text by Montague Slater. Other essays comment on the music and explain the Sadler's Wells company's preference for a familiar favorite, not a new work.
Gloriana was created for a more auspicious occasion, the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1952. Helpful and insightful essays discuss the librettist, the libretto, and the music. Highlights are a discussion of the inspiring novel by Lytton Strachey, Elizabeth and Essex, and an interview with the two original stars who played the pair.
Read after seeing and hearing the operas, this volume would fill in many background details about the works. Reading prior to a performance simply whets the appetite to witness productions live.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews