Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Lennox Berkeley's "A Dinner Engagement," a delightful exploration of chamber music that showcases the composer's unique voice and ingenuity. Released on June 1, 2004, under the esteemed Chandos label, this 59-minute album is a testament to Berkeley's ability to blend wit, charm, and sophistication into a single, engaging musical narrative.
"A Dinner Engagement" is a one-act operetta that tells the story of Lord and Lady Dunmow, who find themselves in a series of comedic and romantic entanglements during a dinner party. With a cast of vividly drawn characters, including the mischievous Prince Philippe and the ever-loyal Susan, Berkeley weaves a tapestry of musical vignettes that are as entertaining as they are musically rich.
The album's tracklist is a journey through the various scenes of the operetta, each one revealing new layers of the story and the characters' relationships. From the playful "Salt, pepper, olive oil" to the tender "Mon aimee attend la lune," Berkeley's music is a constant source of surprise and delight. The final track, "My Lords, Ladies, Duchess and gentlemen!" brings the operetta to a satisfying close, leaving the audience with a sense of having experienced something truly special.
Lennox Berkeley's "A Dinner Engagement" is not just an album; it's an invitation to step into a world of elegance, humor, and musical brilliance. Whether you're a seasoned chamber music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album is sure to captivate and enchant. So, sit back, relax, and let the enchanting melodies of Lennox Berkeley transport you to a dinner engagement you'll never forget.
Tracks
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 1: Salt, pepper, olive oil (Lord Dunmow, Lady Dunmow, Boy)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Blake Fischer
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 1: I'm sorry, Milady, I came through the front door (Mrs. Kneebone, Lady Dunmow, Lord Dunmow)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Jean Rigby
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 1: In the summer of my time (Lord Dunmow, Lady Dunmow, Mrs. Kneebone)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Jean Rigby
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 1: At Missis Ellibank's in Wimbledon (Mrs. Kneebone, Lady Dunmow, Lord Dunmow)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Jean Rigby
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 1: Mother, please can I help? (Susan, Lady Dunmow, Mrs. Kneebone, Lord Dunmow)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Jean Rigby, Claire Rutter
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 1: He was a quiet little boy (Lady Dunmow, Susan, Mrs. Kneebone, Lord Dunmow)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Jean Rigby, Claire Rutter
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 1: Prenez 6 belles tomates (Lady Dunmow, Lord Dunmow, Mrs. Kneebone, Susan)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Jean Rigby, Claire Rutter
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 1: Is this the residence of the Earl and Countess of Dunmow? (Prince Philippe, Mrs. Kneebone)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Robin Leggate
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: So this, dear Lady Dunmow, is your drawing room (Duchess, Lady Dunmow, Prince Philippe, LordLennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Anne Collins, Robin Leggate
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: I never moved a muscle (Lord Dunmow, Lady Dunmow, Duchess, Prince Philippe)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Anne Collins, Robin Leggate
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: Forgive my curiosity, but is your servant that young girl …? (Prince Philippe, Lord Dunmow,Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Anne Collins, Robin Leggate
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: Come and see our little garden (Lady Dunmow, Lord Dunmow, Prince Philippe, Duchess)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Anne Collins, Robin Leggate
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: This way, Ma'am, through the back door (Lord Dunmow, Duchess, Prince Philippe, Susan)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Anne Collins, Robin Leggate, Claire Rutter
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: Oh, shall I kneel in shame … ? (Susan, Prince Philippe)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Claire Rutter, Robin Leggate
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: I like to imagine how these must have looked (Susan, Prince Philippe)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Claire Rutter, Robin Leggate
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: Mon aimee attend la lune (Prince Philippe)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Robin Leggate
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: Kiss her at once! (Duchess, Prince Philippe, Susan, Lord Dunmow, Lady Dunmow, Boy)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Anne Collins, Robin Leggate, Claire Rutter, Blake Fischer
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: Let her beauty be her dowry (Duchess, Susan, Prince Philippe, Lord Dunmow, Lady Dunmow, Boy,Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Yvonne Kenny, Anne Collins, Robin Leggate, Claire Rutter, Blake Fischer
A Dinner Engagement, Op. 45, Scene 2: My Lords, Ladies, Duchess and gentlemen! (Mrs. Kneebone, Prince Philippe, Susan)Lennox Berkeley, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Jean Rigby, Claire Rutter, Robin Leggate
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