Search - Purcell, Christophers, The Sixteen :: Fairy Queen

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 09/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'AND THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST'



Purcell's semi-opera, 'The Fairy Queen' (composed in 1691) was written about 100 years after Shakespeare's 'Midsummer Night's Dream' on which it is loosely based. This quaint somewhat puzzling piece contains some of the most seductive melodies of the Baroque period. Upon listening to it you will note that Purcell eschewed Shakespeare's words in favor of an anonymous libretto loosely based on situations of Shakespeare's play. Although the music provides continuous joy, it would be a stretch of the imagination to glean from it any dramatic and sensical narrative.



To explain my opening words, I will commence by stating that I have three recordings of this work and the one that I find the most perfect is the disc that was recorded last (1994).



As to the performance of 'the sixteen' the reason for the 5 star rating is because of the soloists, who were excellent, both vocally and dramatically. They are all 'tried and true' performers, and deserve at least 10 stars. On the other hand, the chorus was dull: tone quality somewhat bland,some of the diction 'mushy' and did not match the soloists in any way. The instrumentalists were adequate, but that's about it!!!. The performance was not incorrect, nor was it 'poor',just not very exciting!!!!!



Just a brief mention of my other 2 renditions, and what makes them better than this one. John Eliot Gardiner recorded this in June of 1981 with his very outstanding Monteverdi Singers; just wonderful interpretation, excitement, diction; great accompaniement orchestra, BUT unfortunately his soloists were not very 'into it' and that doesn't destroy the rendition by any means, but it doesn't help, either. The best overall performance of this work (in my opinion-might not be yours), is the 1994 disc by Harnoncourt with wonderful results: great chorus, fabulous soloists and good accompaniment.



So take your pick. They're all available and all of them are entertaining; after all , it is PURCELL!!!!!"