Immerse yourself in the rich baroque and classical sounds of John Frederick Lampe's "Pyramus and Thisbe," a captivating album released on February 1, 1995, under the Hyperion label. This album is a testament to Lampe's musical prowess, offering a blend of orchestral and vocal performances that bring to life the timeless tale of Pyramus and Thisbe.
The album opens with the lively "Flute Concerto in G Major 'The Cuckoo'," showcasing Lampe's ability to compose pieces that are both technically impressive and deeply engaging. The concerto's three movements—Vivace, Adagio, and Allegro—exhibit a range of emotions and musical styles, from the energetic and playful to the serene and reflective.
The heart of the album lies in the operatic work "Pyramus and Thisbe," a dramatic and musically rich retelling of the ancient Greek tragedy. This semi-opera, a form popular in the early 18th century, combines spoken dialogue with sung arias and choruses, creating a unique and engaging listening experience. The story unfolds through a series of arias, recitatives, and duets, each bringing a different character to life and advancing the narrative.
Lampe's composition is notable for its intricate orchestration and expressive melodies, which highlight the emotional depth of the characters and the tragic nature of their story. The album's duration of one hour and four minutes allows for a comprehensive exploration of the work, making it a rewarding experience for both casual listeners and aficionados of classical music.
"Pyramus and Thisbe" is a remarkable addition to any music collection, offering a glimpse into the musical styles and storytelling techniques of the baroque era. John Frederick Lampe's masterful composition and the skillful performances bring this ancient tale to life, making it a timeless piece of musical artistry.
Tracks
Flute Concerto in G Major "The Cuckoo": I. VivaceJohn Frederick Lampe, Rachel Brown, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Flute Concerto in G Major "The Cuckoo": II. AdagioJohn Frederick Lampe, Rachel Brown, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Flute Concerto in G Major "The Cuckoo": III. AllegroJohn Frederick Lampe, Rachel Brown, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: I. Prologue (Master, Prompter, Mr Semibrief, 1st Gentleman, 2nd Gentleman, Prologue)John Frederick Lampe, Jack Edwards, Michael Sanderson, Arwel Treharne, Andrew Knight, Alan McMahon, Peter Milne
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 2a, Overture. Allegretto – Adagio e pianoJohn Frederick Lampe, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 2b, Overture. AllegroJohn Frederick Lampe, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 2c, Overture – Recit. Poco presto – Affettuoso – Poco presto – Introduction (1st Gentleman, Mr Semibrief, Wall)John Frederick Lampe, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 3, Air – Recit. The Wretched Sighs and Groans (Wall, 2nd Gentleman, 1st Gentleman, Mr Semibrief, Pyramus)John Frederick Lampe, Michael Sanderson, Mark Padmore, Jack Edwards, Peter Milne, Alan McMahon, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 4, Air. And Thou, O Wall (Pyramus)John Frederick Lampe, Mark Padmore, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 5, Air – Recit. O Wicked Wall, Through Whom No Bliss I See (Pyramus, 1st Gentleman, Mr Semibrief, Thisbe)John Frederick Lampe, Alan McMahon, Mark Padmore, Peter Milne, Susan Bisatt, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 6, Air – Recit. Fly Swift, Good Time, with Triple Speed (Thisbe, Pyramus)John Frederick Lampe, Mark Padmore, Susan Bisatt, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 7, The Whispering Duetto – Recit. Not Shafalus to Procrus Was So True (Thisbe, Pyramus)John Frederick Lampe, Mark Padmore, Susan Bisatt, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 8, Duetto – Recit. I Come/Go Without Delay (Pyramus, Thisbe, Wall, 1st Gentleman, 2nd Gentleman, Mr Semibrief, Lion)John Frederick Lampe, Alan McMahon, Susan Bisatt, Peter Milne, Michael Sanderson, Mark Padmore, Andrew Knight, Jack Edwards, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 9, Air – Recit. Ladies, Don't Fright You (Lion, 1st Gentleman, 2nd Gentleman, Mr Semibrief, Moon)John Frederick Lampe, Jack Edwards, Arwel Treharne, Andrew Knight, Alan McMahon, Peter Milne, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 10, Air – Recit. The Man in the Moon Am I, Sir (Moon, 1st Gentleman, 2nd Gentleman, Thisbe)John Frederick Lampe, Alan McMahon, Arwel Treharne, Jack Edwards, Susan Bisatt, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 11, Air. Where Is My Love, My Pyre Dear? (Thisbe, Lion, 1st Gentleman, 2nd Gentleman)John Frederick Lampe, Andrew Knight, Susan Bisatt, Alan McMahon, Jack Edwards, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 12, Arioso – Recit. Sweet Moon, I Thank Thee for Thy Sunny Beams (Pyramus)John Frederick Lampe, Mark Padmore, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 13, Air – Recit – Arioso. Approach, Ye Furies Fell (Pyramus, 1st Gentleman, 2nd Gentleman, Mr Semibrief)John Frederick Lampe, Peter Milne, Alan McMahon, Jack Edwards, Mark Padmore, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 14, Air – Recit. Now I Am Dead (Pyramus, 1st Gentleman, 2nd Gentleman, Mr Semibrief, Thisbe)John Frederick Lampe, Alan McMahon, Mark Padmore, Susan Bisatt, Peter Milne, Jack Edwards, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 15, Air. These Lily Lips (Thisbe, 1st Gentleman, 2nd Gentleman, Mr Semibrief)John Frederick Lampe, Jack Edwards, Alan McMahon, Susan Bisatt, Peter Milne, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 16, Dance – Epilogue. Gentlemen and Ladies, We've a Boon to Ask (Pyramus, Thisbe)John Frederick Lampe, Mark Padmore, Susan Bisatt, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 17, Duetto. Thus Folding (Pyramus, Thisbe)John Frederick Lampe, Mark Padmore, Susan Bisatt, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
Pyramus and Thisbe: No. 18, Chorus. Now, E'er You RemoveJohn Frederick Lampe, Opera Restor'd, Peter Holman
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