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Britten Conducts Britten: Operas 2 [Box Set]

Britten Conducts Britten: Operas 2 [Box Set]

Decca


  1. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Introduction... Over hill, over dale
  2. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Oberon is passing... Ill met by moonlight
  3. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Well, go thy way
  4. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. How now, my love? Why is your cheek so pale?... I swear to thee, by Cupid's stronges
  5. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. (Be it Lion, Bear or Wolf...) ...I love thee not
  6. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Welcome, wanderer!... I know a bank
  7. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Is all our company here?
  8. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Fair love, you faint with wand'ring in the wood
  9. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Through the forest have I gone
  10. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Stay, tho' thou kill me, sweet Demetrius... Lysander, if you live, good sire, awake
  11. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. Come, now a roundel, and a fairy song
  12. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. You spotted snakes
  13. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 1. What thou seest when thou dost wake
  14. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. Introduction
  15. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. Are we all met?... What hempen homespuns have we swaggering here
  16. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. I see their knavery... What angel wakes me
  17. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. Be kind and courteous to this gentleman
  18. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. Hail, mortal, hail!
  19. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. I have a reas'nable good ear in music
  20. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. How now, mad spirit... O why rebuke you him that loves you so?...What hast thou done
  21. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. Flower of this purple dye... Why should you think that I should woo in scorn?... O H
  22. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. Puppet? why so?
  23. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. This is thy negligence... Thou see'st these lovers seek a place to fight
  24. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. Up and down... Where art thou, proud Demetrius?
  25. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 2. On the ground, sleep sound
  26. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 1. Introduction... My gentle Robin, see'st thou this sweet sight?... My Oberon
  27. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 1. Helena! - Hermia! - Demetrius! - Lysander!
  28. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 1. When my cue comes, call me
  29. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 1. Have you sent to Bottom's house?
  30. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. Orchestral march... Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
  31. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. If we offend, it is with our good will
  32. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. Gentle, perchance you wonder at this show
  33. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. In this same Interlude, it doth befall
  34. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. O grim-lock'd night
  35. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. O Wall, full often hast thou heard my moans
  36. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. You Ladies, you (whose gentle hearts do fear...)
  37. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. This lanthorn doth the hornè Moon present... This is old Ninny's tomb
  38. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. Sweet Moon, I thank thee for thy sunny beams
  39. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. Come, your Bergomask
  40. * A Midsummer Night's Dream, opera, Op. 64: Act 3. Scene 2. Now the hungry lion roars... Through the house give glimmering light... Now
  41. * Phaedra, dramatic cantata for mezzo-soprano, string orchestra, percussion & harpsichord, Op. 93: In May, in brilliant Athens
  42. * Phaedra, dramatic cantata for mezzo-soprano, string orchestra, percussion & harpsichord, Op. 93: Oh Gods of wrath
  43. * Phaedra, dramatic cantata for mezzo-soprano, string orchestra, percussion & harpsichord, Op. 93: My time's too short; your highness
  44. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. Rome is now ruled by the Etruscan upstart: Tarquinius Superbus
  45. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. It is an axion among kings, to use a foreign threat to hide a local evil
  46. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. Here the thirsty evening has drunk the wine of light
  47. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. Who reaches heaven first is the best philosopher
  48. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. Maria was unmasked at a masked ball
  49. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. Collatinus is politically astute to choose a virtuous wife
  50. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. There goes a happy man!
  51. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. Tarquinius does not dare, when Tarquinius does not desire
  52. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 1. My horse! My horse!
    * Interlude. Tarquinius does not wait for his servan
  53. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 2. Their spinning-wheel unwinds dreams which desire has spun!
  54. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 2. Listen! I heard a knock... How cruel men are to teach us love!
  55. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 2. Time treads upon the hands of women
  56. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 1. Scene 2. The oatmeal slippers of sleep creep through the city... Open, in the nam
  57. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 1. The prosperity of the Etruscans was due to the richness of their native
  58. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 1. She sleeps as a rose upon the night
  59. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 1. Within this frail crucible of light
  60. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 1. Lucretia! - What do you want? - You!
  61. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Interlude. Here in this scene you see virtue assailed by sin
  62. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 2. Oh! What a lovely day!
  63. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 2. We'll leave the orchids for Lucretia to arrange... Lucia, go send a mess
  64. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 2. Flowers bring to every year the same perfection
  65. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 2. You were right. Tarquinius took one of the horses... Where is Lucretia?
  66. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 2. Lucretia! Lucretia!
  67. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 2. Las night Tarquinius ravished me
  68. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Scene 2. This dead hand lets fall all that my heart held when full
  69. * The Rape of Lucretia, chamber opera, Op. 37: Act 2. Epilogue. Is it all?
  70. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Prologue
  71. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Theme. Scene 1. The Journey
  72. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Variation 1
    * Scene 2. The Welcome
  73. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Variation 2
    * Scene 3. The Letter
  74. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Variation 3
    * Scene 4. The Tower
  75. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Variation 4
    * Scene 5. The Window
  76. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Variation 5
    * Scene 6. The Lesson
  77. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Variation 6
    * Scene 7. The Lake
  78. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 1. Variation 7
    * Scene 8. At Night
  79. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 2. Variation 8
    * Scene 1. Colloquy and Soliloquy
  80. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 2. Variation 9
    * Scene 2. The Bells
  81. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 2. Variation 10
    * Scene 3. Miss Jesse!
  82. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 2. Variation 11
    * Scene 4. The Bedroom
  83. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 2. Variation 12
    * Scene 5. Quint
  84. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 2. Variation 13
    * Scene 6. The Piano
  85. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 2. Variation 14
    * Scene 7. Flora
  86. * Turn of the Screw, chamber opera, Op. 54: Act 2. Variation 15
    * Scene 8. Miles
  87. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 6. Naturally, Signore, I understand
  88. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 6. Here I will stay, here dedicate my days to the sun
    * Scene 7. Beneath a dazzling sk
  89. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 1. My mind beats on and no words come
  90. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 1. Who's that? A foreigner, a traveller no doubt... Marvels unfold!
  91. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 2. Hey there, hey there, you!... Ho! Here comes young Casanova... Greetings, Conte!
  92. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 2. Serenissima, Serenissima - Low-lying clouds
  93. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 2. Overture: Venice
  94. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 3. Ah Serenissima!
  95. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 3. Mysterious gondola
  96. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 4. We are delighted to greet the Signore to our excellent hotel
  97. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 4. Was I wrong to come
  98. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 4. There is indeed in every artist's nature
    * Scene 5. The wind is from the West... Ah
  99. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 5. (Children's games)... Adziù! Adziù!
  100. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 6. Aou'! Stagando, aou!
  101. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 7. First the race!
  102. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 1. Scene 7. The boy, Tadzio, shall inspire me
  103. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 7. So, it has come to this
  104. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 8. Guardate, Signore!
  105. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 9. Do I detect a scent? A sweetish medicinal cleanliness
  106. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 9. Careful search now leads me to them... Ah, Tadzio, Eros, Ganymede... Gustav von Asc
  107. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 10. This way for the players, Signori! Why are they disinfecting Venice?
  108. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 10. Fiorir rose in mezzo al giasso... Ah, little Tadziù, we do not laugh like the othe
  109. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 11. One moment, if you please... Young man, why do all these people hurry to leave?
  110. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 11. In these last years, Asiatic cholerea has spread
  111. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 12. So it is true, true, more fearful than I thought
  112. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 13. Receive the stranger god - No! Reject the abyss
  113. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 14. (The empty beach) ...Do what you will with me!
  114. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 15. Yes, a very wise decision
  115. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 16. Hurrah for the Piazza
  116. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 16. Chaos, chaos and sickness
  117. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 17. The wind still blows from the land
  118. * Death in Venice, opera, Op. 88: Act 2. Scene 17. (On the beach) ...Ah, no!
  119. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 1. Prelude
  120. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 2. The tournament
  121. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 3. Recitative and fight
  122. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 4. Entrance of the Queen
  123. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 5. Recitative
  124. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 6. The two lords' explanation
  125. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 7. Raleigh's song
  126. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 8. Ensemble of reconciliation
  127. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 1. No. 9. Recitative and final march
  128. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 2. No. 1. Prelude and dialogue
  129. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 2. No. 2. The Queen's song
  130. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 2. No. 3. Cecil's song of government
  131. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 2. No. 4. Recitative and Essex's entry
  132. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 2. No. 5. First lute song
  133. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 2. No. 6. Second lute song
  134. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 2. No. 7. The first duet for the Queen and Essex
  135. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 1. Scene 2. No. 8. Soliloquy and prayer
  136. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 1. No. 1. Prelude and welcome
  137. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 1. No. 2. The Masque
  138. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 1. No. 3. Finale
  139. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 2. No. 1. Prelude and song
  140. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 2. No. 2. Duet
  141. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 2. No. 3. Double duet
  142. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 2. No. 4. Quartet
  143. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 1. Pavane
  144. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 2. Conversation
  145. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 3. Galliard
  146. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 4. Conversation and the Queen's entrance
  147. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 5. Lavolta
  148. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 6. Conversation
  149. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 7. Morris dance
  150. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 8. Recitative
  151. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 9. The Queen's burlesque
  152. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 10. Quartet
  153. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 11. March
  154. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 12. The Queen's announcement
  155. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 13. Ensemble
  156. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 2. Scene 3. No. 14. Coranto
  157. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 1. No. 1. Prelude and chatter
  158. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 1. No. 2. Essex's intrusion
  159. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 1. No. 3. The second duet of the Queen and Essex
  160. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 1. No. 4. The dressing-table song
  161. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 1. No. 5. The entrance of Cecil
  162. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 1. No. 6. Cecil's report
  163. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 1. No. 7. Discussion
  164. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 1. No. 8. The Queen's decision
  165. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 2. Ballad - rondo
  166. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 3. No. 1. Prelude and verdict
  167. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 3. No. 2. Cecil's warning
  168. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 3. No. 3. The Queen's dilemma
  169. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 3. No. 4. Trio
  170. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 3. No. 5. Lady Essex's pleading
  171. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 3. No. 6. Penelope Rich's pleading
  172. * Gloriana, opera, Op. 53: Act 3. Scene 3. No. 7. Epilogue

Average customer rating:4.5 stars

5 stars Lesser, indeed!

How someone can refer to Rape of Lucretia and Turn of the Screw (or Midsummer Night's Dream, for that matter, my personal favorite among his many operas) as lesser works of Britten's is beyond me. I guess it is just a matter of taste, but especially in these performances, those who truly love Britten could hardly do wrong. Libretti lacking, but don't let that stop you. You never know when these will go out of print again!

5 stars Britten's lesser operas?

Of course it's all a matter of taste. I find most of Britten's operas first class with no exception. 'Gloriana' is an under-recorded jewel, full of melody and emotion. 'Turn of the Screw' a masterpiece of claustrophobic sense. 'Rape of Lucretia' full of chamber sensibility. And the performances cannot be bettered.
Need I say more? DECCA is paying an enormous service to collectors with these releases, especially those who have a real concern with storage space. They deserve 10 stars, if available.

3 stars Britten's lesser operas

I loved Britten's Operas 1. So I snatched this item up right away. It's o.k. but not as good as the first collection. Death in Venice and the Turn of the Screw were the only operas on these discs that I really cared for. Bedford's version of Death in Venice is every bit as good as the Hickox version so if you already have one there's really no need to get the other. As for the other operas they're nowhere near as good as Billy Budd, Peter Grimes, or Albert Herring. For those just discovering Britten's operas start out with the first boxed set.

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