Benjamin Britten's "Albert Herring" is a delightful and witty opera that showcases the composer's mastery of the neoclassical style. Released in 2003 by Chandos, this recording captures the essence of Britten's unique approach to opera, blending humor, charm, and a touch of satire. The opera, based on a libretto by Eric Crozier, is a comedic tale of a young man named Albert Herring, who is thrust into the spotlight as the "Mayor of Loxford" after being deemed the most virtuous youth in the town. The story unfolds with a series of amusing and unexpected twists, all set to Britten's distinctive and engaging music.
The album features a stellar cast of singers, each bringing their unique talents to the stage. The performances are vibrant and full of life, perfectly complementing the operatic score. The Chandos label has done an excellent job of capturing the nuances of Britten's composition, ensuring that every note and every lyric is crystal clear.
"Albert Herring" is not just an opera; it's a journey through the quirks and foibles of small-town life, seen through the lens of Britten's brilliant music. The opera's themes of virtue, innocence, and the complexities of growing up are timeless, making it a piece that resonates with audiences of all ages. The choral and orchestral arrangements are particularly noteworthy, showcasing Britten's ability to create rich, layered soundscapes that are both intricate and accessible.
With a runtime of over two hours, this album offers a substantial and engaging listening experience. Whether you're a fan of classical music, opera, or simply appreciate well-crafted storytelling, "Albert Herring" is sure to captivate and entertain. Britten's genius shines through in every aspect of this recording, making it a standout addition to any music collection.
Tracks
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: The morning room at Lady Billows' house in Loxford (Lady Billows, Florence)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock, Sally Burgess
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: Doctor Jessop's midwife… (Florence)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Sally Burgess
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: I hope we're not too early (Miss Wordsworth, Florence, Vicar, Mayor, Superintendent)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Rebecca Evans, Sally Burgess, Alan Opie, Robert Tear, Stephen Richardson
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: Stuffy! Tobacco stink! (Lady Billows, Miss Wordsworth, Florence, Mayor, Superintendent, VicBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock, Rebecca Evans, Sally Burgess, Robert Tear, Stephen Richardson, Alan Opie
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: Now then! Notebook, Florence! (Lady Billows)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: The first suggestion on my list (Vicar, Florence, Lady Billows, Miss Wordsworth, Mayor, SupBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Alan Opie, Sally Burgess, Susan Bullock, Rebecca Evans, Robert Tear, Stephen Richardson
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: Is this all you can bring? (Lady Billows, Florence)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock, Sally Burgess
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: Begging your pardon (Superintendent, Florence, Lady Billows, Miss Wordsworth, Vicar, Mayor)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Richardson, Sally Burgess, Susan Bullock, Rebecca Evans, Robert Tear, Alan Opie
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: Virtue, says Holy Writ (Vicar, Superintendent, Mayor, Miss Wordsworth, Florence, Lady BilloBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Alan Opie, Stephen Richardson, Robert Tear, Rebecca Evans, Sally Burgess, Susan Bullock
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: Right! We'll have him! (Lady Billows, Florence, Vicar, Miss Wordsworth, Mayor, SuperintendeBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock, Sally Burgess, Alan Opie, Rebecca Evans, Robert Tear, Stephen Richardson
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 1: InterludeBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: Bounce me high (Emmie, Cis, Harry)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Yvette Bonner, Rebecca Bottone, Gregory Monk
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: Shop! Hi! Albert! (Sid, Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, James Gilchrist
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: Did you ever have a pint at the local? (Sid, Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, James Gilchrist
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: Sid I'm sorry but… (Albert, Sid, Nancy)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, James Gilchrist, Roderick Williams, Pamela Helen Stephen
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: We'll walk to the spinney (Sid, Nancy, Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Pamela Helen Stephen, James Gilchrist
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: He's much too busy (Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, James Gilchrist
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: Mum wants two penn'oth of potherbs (Emmie, Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Yvette Bonner, James Gilchrist
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: Good morning, young man! (Florence, Albert, Mum)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Sally Burgess, James Gilchrist, Anne Collins
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: We bring great news to you (Lady Billows, Mum, Albert, Florence, Vicar, Mayor, SuperintendeBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock, Anne Collins, James Gilchrist, Sally Burgess, Alan Opie, Robert Tear
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act I Scene 2: Well, think of that, my lad (Mum, Albert, Kids)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Anne Collins, James Gilchrist, Yvette Bonner, Rebecca Bottone, Gregory Monk
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Inside a marquee… (Florence, Nancy, Sid)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Sally Burgess, Pamela Helen Stephen, Roderick Williams
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: For three precious weeks (Florence, Nancy, Sid)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Sally Burgess, Pamela Helen Stephen, Roderick Williams
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: That's a fine sight for sore eyes! (Sid, Nancy)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Pamela Helen Stephen
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Quickly, quickly (Miss Wordsworth, Emmie, Cis, Harry)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Rebecca Evans, Yvette Bonner, Rebecca Bottone, Gregory Monk
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: I don't think you ought! (Nancy, Sid)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Pamela Helen Stephen, Roderick Williams
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Quick, here they are! (Nancy, Sid, Miss Wordsworth, Superintendent, Mum, Mayor, Florence,Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Pamela Helen Stephen, Roderick Williams, Rebecca Evans, Stephen Richardson, Anne Collins, Robert Tear
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Husssh!... Harold Wood! (Miss Wordsworth, Harry, Emmie, Cis, Mum, Lady Billows)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Rebecca Evans, Yvette Bonner, Rebecca Bottone, Gregory Monk, Susan Bullock
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Come, let's sit down (Lady Billows, Mum, Superintendent, Albert, Miss Wordsworth, Mayor, SBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock, Anne Collins, Stephen Richardson, James Gilchrist, Rebecca Evans, Robert Tear
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: I'm full of happiness (Lady Billows, Vicar)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock, Alan Opie
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: As representing our local Council (Mayor, Vicar)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Robert Tear, Alan Opie
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: My heart leaps up with joy to see (Miss Wordsworth, Vicar)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Rebecca Evans, Alan Opie
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Erhumph… (Superintendent, Vicar)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Stephen Richardson, Alan Opie
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Go on, Albert! (Mum, Florence, Superintendent, Miss Wordsworth, Mayor, Nancy, Sid, Lady BiBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Anne Collins, Sally Burgess, Rebecca Evans, Robert Tear, Pamela Helen Stephen, Roderick Williams
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Albert the Good! (Vicar, Florence, Albert, Mum, Lady Billows, Miss Wordsworth, SuperintendBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Alan Opie, Sally Burgess, James Gilchrist, Anne Collins, Susan Bullock, Rebecca Evans
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 1: Bring the plates! Quickly now! (Sid, Nancy, Miss Wordsworth, Albert, Lady Billows, FlorencBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Pamela Helen Stephen, Rebecca Evans, James Gilchrist, Susan Bullock, Sally Burgess
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 2: Albert the Good! (Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, James Gilchrist
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 2: Why did she stare… ? (Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, James Gilchrist
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 2: You oughtn't to whistle (Nancy, Sid)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Pamela Helen Stephen, Roderick Williams
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 2: Come along, darling, come follow me quick! (Sid, Nancy, Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Pamela Helen Stephen
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 2: Heaven helps those who help themselves (Albert)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, James Gilchrist
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act II Scene 2: Albert! Albert? Fast asleep, poor kid! (Mum)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Anne Collins
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act III: The following afternoon…Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act III: Is she asleep? (Emmie, Nancy, Cis, Mayor, Harry)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Yvette Bonner, Pamela Helen Stephen, Rebecca Bottone, Robert Tear, Gregory Monk
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act III: What the hell d'you think I am? (Sid, Nancy, Superintendent, Harry)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Pamela Helen Stephen, Stephen Richardson, Gregory Monk
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act III: How's the manhunt? (Sid, Superintendent, Harry)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Roderick Williams, Stephen Richardson, Gregory Monk
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act III: Have you found him? (Mum, Superintendent)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Anne Collins, Stephen Richardson
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act III: All that I did! (Mum, Nancy, Miss Wordsworth, Vicar, Harry)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Anne Collins, Pamela Helen Stephen, Rebecca Evans, Alan Opie, Gregory Monk
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act III: Fools! (Lady Billows, Nancy, Vicar, Miss Wordsworth, Florence, Mum, Mayor, Superintendent)Benjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Susan Bullock, Pamela Helen Stephen, Alan Opie, Rebecca Evans, Sally Burgess, Anne Collins
Albert Herring, Op. 39, Act III: In the midst of life is death (Vicar, Nancy, Mayor, Lady Billows, Superintendent, Florence, MissBenjamin Britten, Richard Hickox, City of London Sinfonia, Alan Opie, Pamela Helen Stephen, Robert Tear, Susan Bullock, Stephen Richardson, Sally Burgess
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