Search - English Chamber Orchestra, Jessye Norman, Robert Aldwinckle :: Purcell: Dido And Aeneas

Very, very good and very, very enjoyable.

11/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Quite simply one of the best performances on CD. Though I didn't like Jessye Normans part at first (being used to much more delicate/lighter versions), I now regard it as absolutely fantastic. You can really feel her anguish and pain in the final lament (Goosebumps). Furthermore, it is a very well balanced performance, with music and artists matching perfectly. The quality of the recording lives up to Philips reputation. Good job!Maybe not worth 5 stars (what is?), but definitely 4.5"

A true first choice

S Duncan | London | 01/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It just stuck me the other night that I hadn't reviewed the 2 most important operatic recordings of my life: Tosca (with Price, di Stefano/von Karajan) and this Dido. Appalling! Had it not been for the splendour of these 2 recordings I may well have been put off the operatic genre. This, no doubt, goes to say how approachable they are for a start.



In the title role here, Jessye Norman is a very elegant Dido. Her voice is rich enough to convince you of Dido's regal status. At the same time, she doesn't always carry around the `weightiness' usually touted by famous Wagnerian sopranos. So here she is a delicate beauty. Her lament is simply awesome...talk about vocal control. Her rendition of this lament is well recorded on other CDs and compilations, which attests to the quality. Imagine how this must have hit the first-time listener of opera; caught up in the drama with no notion of the heroine dying/committing suicide (a notion with which I am now strangely attracted to!).



Aeneas' relatively small role is initially sung with ringing bravado and warm, tender sonority later in his heart-broken pleas.



Indeed, this is a 5-star cast and performance. I especially loved the northern accent with which the Sailor was sung (no, I'm no northerner). Belinda and the second lady are gracefully done....and with emotion. The combination of Sorceress and First and Second Witches will make your hair curl! A truly exciting performance and the sound effects are fantastic. The Sorceress sings with a `snarl' in her voice but it's not over the top: convincing, not hysterical. As for the spirit, I've never been able to forget that performance from Derek Lee Ragin- that most ethereal of voices could not have been better cast. The almost `wail-like' quality to it just sealed the impression that this was indeed a being from another dimension.



Leppard's conducting is superb. It has become `trendy' to perform this work at break-neck speeds, probably more to show the skill of the performers. It doesn't always work to my personal liking. Here, there is a stately procession to the conducting, which is NEVER lethargic. Nonetheless, it suits the performers wonderfully...particularly Ms. Norman's noble vocals. It would just not do to hurry her! The conducting is heartfelt and characterises the singers well. The chorus too is lovely, particularly in the `echo' scene with the witches.



This work `started me off' so to speak but is a clear first for anyone. Good thing it was such a great choice.

"

Leppard's Purcell

Samuel Stephens | TN, USA | 10/14/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This never seems to make it into any "top" lists of this very dramatic short opera. I have heard the famous Janet Baker/Anthony Lewis recording for Decca. It is a fine version which I recommend. But it simply isn't as colourful as this one. Jessye Norman is a perfectly wonderful Dido. Perhaps not as moving in `drooping wings' as Janet Baker, but still in strong competition. Leppard directs better too. Anthony Lewis had a more plain-sounding orchestra, and the sound wasn't as opulent.

Four Stars."