COMPOSERS: Purcell
LABELS: Erato
WORKS: Dido and Aeneas
PERFORMER: Véronique Gens, Nathan Berg; Les Arts Florissants/William Christie
CATALOGUE NO: 4509-98477-2 DDD
Recent theory suggests that Dido was intended not for school but for court entertainment. Christie responds with vivid colours and extreme characterisation. Horrid, nasal witches border on farce; recorder and oboe, not specified by Purcell, temper a band of single strings. Liberties with tempo highlight drama, at some cost to musical continuity. Much is inventive without distracting – delicate vocal ornaments, Christie’s own harpsichord playing, and French-inspired rhythmic springiness. George Pratt
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas
Recent theory suggests that Dido was intended not for school but for court entertainment. Christie responds with vivid colours and extreme characterisation. Horrid, nasal witches border on farce; recorder and oboe, not specified by Purcell, temper a band of single strings. Liberties with tempo highlight drama, at some cost to musical continuity. Much is inventive without distracting – delicate vocal ornaments, Christie’s own harpsichord playing, and French-inspired rhythmic springiness. George Pratt
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:14 pm