Opus Arte

THE WORLD'S FINEST OPERA
BALLET, THEATRE AND MUSIC

The Royal Opera House
Glyndebourne
Royal Shakespeare Company
Shakespeare's Globe
Britten: Albert Herring
Britten: Albert Herring

Patricia Johnson (Lady Billows); Felicity Palmer (Florence Pike); Elizabeth Gale (Miss Wordsworth); Derek Hammond-Stroud (Mr Gedge); Alexander Oliver (Mr Upfold); Richard Van Allan (Superintendent Budd); Alan Opie (Sid); John Graham-Hall (Albert Herring); Jean Rigby (Nancy); Patricia Kern (Mrs Herring)

Benjamin Britten’s comic opera, which is gently laced with moments of farce, is a jocular parody on life in East Suffolk at the turn of the 20th century. Albert Herring is a quaint, nostalgic journey to a bygone England and the journey has come full circle back to Glyndebourne where this piece was premiered in 1947. The ensuing antics are brilliantly characterised by a strong British cast in this production, which is infused with freshness and limitless charm. Expertly conducted by Bernard Haitink, this archive recording showcases some of Britain’s finest singers in this landmark production by Peter Hall.

DVD

Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/07/2023
Sound Formats:
Ratio: 4:3
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OA1375D
Conductor(s):
Bernard Haitink
Artist(s):
Patricia Johnson; Felicity Palmer; Elizabeth Gale; Derek Hammond-Stroud; Alexander Oliver; Richard Van Allan; Alan Opie; John Graham-Hall; Jean Rigby; Patricia Kern; Bernard Haitink
"I do believe that there can be a benchmark production: this production lays down such a marker... this is a great production of a chamber opera." (Musicweb International)

"... a vintage production with a vintage cast ..." (The Sunday Times)

"British Opera at its best." (Daily Express)

"One could go on almost indefinitely about the joys of this production … Bernard Haitink obtains spirited playing from the orchestra … simply one of the greatest operatic videos of all time.

Albert Herring is the most infectiously comic opera in the English language, and that this video recording enshrines a performance of it that captures its essence to perfection.

The last video issue was minimally and miserably presented, without even a booklet; this reissue now gives us an eight-page booklet including a track listing and synopsis (in English only). Subtitles come in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. " (Musicweb International)

"Hall’s direction brings out each character but avoids the cast jostling for the spotlight - everyone gets their moment in the sun. Likewise, Bernard Haitink’s conducting allows the music to breathe and casts not just radiance over proceedings but also presents Britten’s musical quotations with frankness rather than parody." (Opera Now ★★★★★)

Patricia Johnson (Lady Billows); Felicity Palmer (Florence Pike); Elizabeth Gale (Miss Wordsworth); Derek Hammond-Stroud (Mr Gedge); Alexander Oliver (Mr Upfold); Richard Van Allan (Superintendent Budd); Alan Opie (Sid); John Graham-Hall (Albert Herring); Jean Rigby (Nancy); Patricia Kern (Mrs Herring)

Benjamin Britten’s comic opera, which is gently laced with moments of farce, is a jocular parody on life in East Suffolk at the turn of the 20th century. Albert Herring is a quaint, nostalgic journey to a bygone England and the journey has come full circle back to Glyndebourne where this piece was premiered in 1947. The ensuing antics are brilliantly characterised by a strong British cast in this production, which is infused with freshness and limitless charm. Expertly conducted by Bernard Haitink, this archive recording showcases some of Britain’s finest singers in this landmark production by Peter Hall.

DVD

Genre: Opera
Release Date: 01/07/2023
Sound Formats:
Ratio: 4:3
Subtitles:
Catalogue Number: OA1375D

Conductor(s):
Bernard Haitink
Artist(s):
Patricia Johnson; Felicity Palmer; Elizabeth Gale; Derek Hammond-Stroud; Alexander Oliver; Richard Van Allan; Alan Opie; John Graham-Hall; Jean Rigby; Patricia Kern; Bernard Haitink

"I do believe that there can be a benchmark production: this production lays down such a marker... this is a great production of a chamber opera." (Musicweb International)

"... a vintage production with a vintage cast ..." (The Sunday Times)

"British Opera at its best." (Daily Express)

"One could go on almost indefinitely about the joys of this production … Bernard Haitink obtains spirited playing from the orchestra … simply one of the greatest operatic videos of all time.

Albert Herring is the most infectiously comic opera in the English language, and that this video recording enshrines a performance of it that captures its essence to perfection.

The last video issue was minimally and miserably presented, without even a booklet; this reissue now gives us an eight-page booklet including a track listing and synopsis (in English only). Subtitles come in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese. " (Musicweb International)

"Hall’s direction brings out each character but avoids the cast jostling for the spotlight - everyone gets their moment in the sun. Likewise, Bernard Haitink’s conducting allows the music to breathe and casts not just radiance over proceedings but also presents Britten’s musical quotations with frankness rather than parody." (Opera Now ★★★★★)