Search - Glanville-Hicks, Stratas, Surinach :: Nausicaa

An unusual 20th century opera in an ancient Greek setting

10/12/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Peggy Glanville-Hicks has provided a rather unusual opera based on the myth of Nausicaa and Ulysses. This is a live recording of the premier which took place at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus of Athens in 1961. The sound is very good. Teresa Stratas is exceptional. John Modenos, George Moutsios and Mihalis Heliotis are also first-rate. The Athens State Orchestra is mediocre.N. A. Peppas"

An Operatic Event

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 02/02/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What an interesting idea for an opera! Nausicaa is based on the Robert Graves novel "Homer's Daughter," and he wrote the libretto. Peggy Glanville-Hicks was a very accomplished composer who is sadly not well represented in the CD catalogue. Prior to writing this opera, Ms. Glanville-Hicks lived in Athens in a house atop the Acropolis. She studied Greek folk music for two years before tackling the composing of this music. The result is interesting indeed. It reminded me of Bamuel Barber's "Antony and Cleopatra" to a degree. The music and words are fitted to each other with graceful percision. However, there are no melodic arias. Teresa Stratas is wonderful as Nausicaa; her voice has a sweetness to it that was lost in her more mature singing years. The sound is not bad for a live recording from 1961. If the subject interests you and you like 20th century opera, try this CD."