* WINNER: PRESTO RECORDINGS OF THE YEAR 2023, WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING *
* FINALIST: PRESTO RECORDINGS OF THE YEAR 2023 *
* FINALIST: PRESTO RECORDINGS OF THE YEAR 2023 *
Ethel Smyth: Der Wald
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For over 100 years the only opera by a woman to have been performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Der Wald is a taut, brooding drama where the simplicity of village life comes under threat from the uncontrollable desires unleashed by the darkness of the forest. Richly orchestrated, harmonically daring, and demanding a huge expressive range from the cast, the narrative drives relentlessly forward from wedding to tragedy in a single act, observed pitilessly by the eternal spirits of the forest. John Andrews conducts the BBC Singers, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and an international cast in the first ever recording of this work, using Smyth’s own English version of the libretto. Buy from Resonus here. |
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Reviews
'This, Der Wald’s first recording, argues its case persuasively. The conductor, John Andrews, manages to make the hour-long score sound at once concise and expansive...highlights include a lovely, harmonically adventurous chorus of spirits to open and close the work, and a scene for the central couple blossoming into a love duet that culminates in a heartfelt ode to the forest itself.' (The Guardian)
'An important piece...Conductor John Andrews rescues another lost English opera from oblivion and leads an excellent performance: it would be difficult to imagine finer accounts of the central roles than those given here.' (BBC Music Magazine)
'John Andrews, the BBC Singers and BBC Symphony Orchestra energetically provide rich colours and powerful climaxes.' (The Whole Note)
'We now have the opportunity to hear it in a finely engineered recording and with an excellent cast. So, is it any good? The answer is a resounding yes!' (Limelight, Editor's Choice)
'This, Der Wald’s first recording, argues its case persuasively. The conductor, John Andrews, manages to make the hour-long score sound at once concise and expansive...highlights include a lovely, harmonically adventurous chorus of spirits to open and close the work, and a scene for the central couple blossoming into a love duet that culminates in a heartfelt ode to the forest itself.' (The Guardian)
'An important piece...Conductor John Andrews rescues another lost English opera from oblivion and leads an excellent performance: it would be difficult to imagine finer accounts of the central roles than those given here.' (BBC Music Magazine)
'John Andrews, the BBC Singers and BBC Symphony Orchestra energetically provide rich colours and powerful climaxes.' (The Whole Note)
'We now have the opportunity to hear it in a finely engineered recording and with an excellent cast. So, is it any good? The answer is a resounding yes!' (Limelight, Editor's Choice)