British Universities Film & Video Council

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Midsummer Night’s Dream, A

Synopsis
An audio recording of Benjamin Britten’s operatic version of the play. Bejun Mehta (Oberon), Íride Martínez (Tytania), Jack Morlen (Puck), Timothy Robinson (Lysander), Jared Holt (Demetrius), Tove Dahlberg (Hermia), Kate Royal (Helena) & Matthew Rose (Bottom). The score is played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra & Trinity Boys Choir, conducted by Ilan Volkov. Original 1981 production staged by Peter Hall, this recording is from its 2006 revival, its fourth at Glyndebourne.

Britten employed disparate musical styles and devices to depict the interaction of the fairy kingdom; the quartet of lovers, the Mechanicals and town tradesmen determined to make it in showbiz. He juxtaposes a wide variety of styles to create the various worlds in the play. Brash trombones clash with Elizabethan flourishes, tormented string sounds and tuned percussion evoke the mood of the dark forests. With the challenging vocal writing a combination of singing, sprechstimme and spoken word cleverly intertwine.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Audio; Video
Technical information
Colour / Sound
Duration
149 minutes
Availability
Sale

Credits

Director
Peter Hall
Music
Benjamin Britten
Cast
Bejun MehtaOberon
IÍride MartínezTitania
Kate RoyalHelena

Additional Details

Theatre company
Glyndebourne Festival Opera
Production type
Operas and Musicals
Plays
Midsummer Night’s Dream, A
Subjects
Drama; Music; Shakespeare
Keywords
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
Related items
Midsummer Night’s Dream, A

Notes

Documentation
Accompanying booklet

Publisher

Name

Glyndebourne

Distributor

Name

Retail outlets

Record Stats

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