The Fairy Queen – Stage director: Jonathan Kent
Semi-opera by Henry Purcell (1692). Directed for stage by Jonathan Kent. Music director: William Christie
There are too many highlights to mention in this varied and infinitely delightful entertainment. Glyndebourne has a triumph on its hands.
The Stage
Jonathan Kent’s spectacular production of Purcell’s huge semi-opera is joyous, imaginative and witty. Glyndebourne, with its intimate auditorium, provides the perfect setting for a drama which is partly spoken and partly sung.
Based on an adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the story is lavished with a brilliance that justifies this production’s acclaim. Paul Brown’s inventive designs, Kim Brandstrup’s exquisite choreography, an excellent cast of actors and singers and outstanding playing by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under William Christie combine to make a seamless theatrical experience, here recorded in High Definition and true surround sound.
© Picture: Alastair Muir
- To watch the behind the scenes in Glyndebourne with interviews of Jonathan Kent and William Christie : click here !
Jonathan Kent
stage director
Paul Brown
set designer
Mark Henderson
lightings
Kim Brandstrup
choreography
Singers:
Lucy Crowe soprano
Claire Debono soprano
Anna Devin soprano
Helen-Jane Howells soprano
Rachel Redmond soprano
Carolyn Sampson soprano
Robert Burt tenor
Sean Clayton tenor
Ed Lyon tenor
Adrian Ward tenor
Lukas Kargl baritone
John Mackenzie baritone
Desmond Barrit bass (guitare)
Andrew Foster-Williams bass (guitare)
Actors:
Sally Dexter (Titania)
Joseph Millson (Oberon)
Desmond Barrit (Bottom)
Jotham Annan (Puck)
Susannah Wise (Hermia)
Helen Bradbury (Helena)
Oliver Le Suer (Demetrius)
Oliver Kieran Jones (Lysander)
Glyndebourne Chorus
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
William Christie musical direction
Duration : 03 h 31 min
Location : Glyndebourne (Lewes, Great Britain)
Recording date : 17-19/07/2009
Production date : 2009
Production : © NHK / Mezzo / Glyndebourne Enterprises Ltd / François Roussillon et Associés
Available version(s) : EN ST EN, EN ST FR
Programme
