Search - Andrew Mayor, Andrew Knight, Charles Dibdin :: Dibdin: Three Operas - The Ephesian Matron; The Brickdust Man; The Grenadier (English Orpheus, Vol 16) /Opera Restor'd * Holman

Delightfully High Class English Music Hall precursors

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 06/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'The Ephesian Matron', 'The Brickdust man', and 'The Grenadier' strike me as post-Restoration, 18th century English versions of musical skits on a proto-Saturday Night Live stage the wealthy backers of the East India Company as they enjoy a Saturday night out in London. All three pieces are by Charles Dibdin, who, by all accounts is far, far, far down the list of major composers who have written musical drama in English. In spite of this, I would rather listen to this recording than any recording of the great Igor Stravinsky's 'The Rake's Progress' done in English.



As a rank amateur as a musical critic, I seek out recordings like this to give me the best sense of the great variety of musical performances rather than listening to the 37th and latest recording of, for example 'Carmina Burana'. And, as your cordial explorer in the dustier corners of music, I recommend this for your consideration instead of lesser works by greater composers."