John Metcalf's "Metcalf: Under Milk Wood 'An Opera'" is a captivating musical journey that brings to life Dylan Thomas' iconic radio play. Released on March 4, 2016, under the label Ty Cerdd, this operatic adaptation spans nearly two hours, offering a rich and immersive experience. Metcalf, known for his distinctive compositional style, masterfully transforms Thomas' poetic narrative into a compelling musical score.
The album is structured as a multi-scene opera, with each track delving into the lives and dreams of the eccentric inhabitants of the fictional Welsh village, Llareggub. From the whimsical "Polly Garter's Aria" to the haunting "The dead Come Out in Their Sunday Best," Metcalf's compositions beautifully capture the essence of each character and their stories. The opera's climax, "This One Spring Day," leaves a lasting impression, showcasing Metcalf's ability to blend lyrical beauty with dramatic intensity.
"Metcalf: Under Milk Wood 'An Opera'" is a testament to John Metcalf's skill as a composer and his deep appreciation for Dylan Thomas' work. The album is a must-listen for fans of opera, choral music, and those who appreciate the intersection of literature and music. With its evocative storytelling and rich musical tapestry, this album is sure to resonate with listeners long after the final notes fade.
Tracks
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 1: Scene 1A: It Is SpringJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 1: Scene 1B: Only Your EyesJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 1: Scene 1C: Time PassesJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 1: Scene 1D: The Big Seas of Their DreamsJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 1: Scene 1E: Night of the drownedJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 2: Scene 2A: Dreams of Miss Price and Mr. EdwardsJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 2: Scene 2B: Dreams of the Ogmore-PritchardsJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 3: Scene 3A: Everybody DreamsJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 3: Scene 3B: The Dawn Inches UpJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 4: Scene 4: Rev. Jenkins' Morning ServiceJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 5: Scene 5A: The Owens' Late Night SupperJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 5: Scene 5B: Mr. Pugh Takes Up the Morning TeaJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 5: Scene 5C: Lily Smalls Makes TeaJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 6: Scene 6: The PostJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 7: Scene 7A-1: By the PumpJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 7: Scene 7A-2: Polly Garter's AriaJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 7: Scene 7A-3: I'm a Martyr to MusicJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 7: Scene 7B: Johnnie Crack and Flossie SnailJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 8: Scene 8: Gossamer and SinbadJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 9: Scene 9: Afternoon with Polly GarterJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 10: Scene 10A: Captain Cat and Rosie ProbertJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 10: Scene 10B: Bessie BigheadJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 10: Scene 10C: Two Shambling PhantomsJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 11: Scene 11: Rev. Jenkins' Sunset PoemJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 12: Scene 12A: The Sailors' ArmsJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 12: Scene 12B: Mr. Waldo's SongJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 12: Scene 12C: The dead Come Out in Their Sunday BestJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 13: Scene 13A: In the Cold EarthJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
Under Milk Wood "An Opera", Scene 13: Scene 13B: This One Spring DayJohn Metcalf, Elizabeth Donovan, Helen-Jane Howells, Gweneth-Ann Jeffers, Paul Carey Jones, Michael Douglas Jones, Karina Lucas, Richard Morris, Eamonn Mulhall, Wyn Davies, Cwm Glas Primary School Choir, Jose Zalba Smith, Parmela Attariwala, Deian Rowlands, Paul Stoneman
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