Two Words, One Answer.
JEWS DID
 Arthur Sullivan: Ivanhoe $50.98 I understood from other reviewers that this was an interesting relic recorded by an amateur group. I was interested in the relic, but the very high price kept me away, until I found a bargain from a third-party seller through Amazon. What I got surprised me on several counts. For one, the sound was bad, at least for the orchestra; it sounds as though it was recorded in a parish hall, with the mics near the soloists but the orchestra at the other end (or in the kitchen). I wasn't entirely surprised that there was no libretto (but for this price tag?), but the synopsis has no cues (indeed, it scants much of the story), and the cues on the disk are given, not by synopsis or singers or even the timing, but by the page in the printed score! On the other hand, the singers are generally decent, and at least one (Irene Drummond, the Rebecca) is a pleasure to listen to. As to the value of the opera, it is a remarkable cross between Yeomen of the Guard and Tannhauser. However, it is more dense and operatic than the former, more varied musically and dramatically than the latter. And somehow it comes out sounding like Rossini. Clearly Sullivan was shooting for something conservative, and, from what I can tell from these disks, he hit his mark, creating a solid stage entertainment with quality music that should please any lover of opera before 1850. In fact, a less stodgy conductor might make this quite exciting. Still, I'm judging from a far-less-than-optimal performance -- and the packaging has left me often unsure about what is being presented (what is going on); so I can't be sure what the opera's potential really is. In any case, people considering this recording should ONLY BY IT ON SALE. The list price is offensively ridiculous for an amateur recording (amateur in both cast and technology) -- with no libretto. Also, companies (like Opera Rara) who love to revive forgotten gems should really give Ivanhoe a chance; it has much more to offer than another item from the bottom of Rossini's or Donizetti's trunk.  Elgar: The Light of Life $18.98 The Light of Life, an oratorio that was premiered in 1896, is the first of a trilogy (followed by The Apostles and The Kingdom) that features texts from the New Testament. This one in particular tells of a blind man whose sight returns through Jesus Christ. The text may be cliched, but the music is a wonderful experience. True, it seems a bit more operatic than other oratorios from other composers, but the heavenly meditative orchestrations make you want to sit back and enjoy without any distractions whatsoever. The soloists give incredible performances (especially Shirley-Quirk as Christ himself). The late Richard Hickox (R.I.P.) keeps the London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra moving without anything standing in their way. He also manages to balance both voices and instruments almost perfectly, and I think the top-notch sound quality from Chandos really helps. The Light of Life may not be liked by everyone, but I can still recommend it to those who admire English classical music and choral music in general. |
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