Purcell: Dido and Aeneas - Baker, Hemsley, Robson, Minton, Bainbridge, Davies; Pritchard. Glyndebourne, 1966
$2.48
Listen to a Sample:
Glyndebourne may be the most ideal theater in the world to mount a production of Dido and Aeneas. Besides the authenticity inherent in seeing an opera on its native soil, the intimacy of the theater gives the singers enormous freedom to color their voices in ways that would be impossible in large houses. Dame Janet Baker as Dido is both regal and human. Her voice shimmers and she is able to sing opera with the immediacy of a lieder recital. She is supported by a superb cast of her countrymen and women including Yvonne Minton, Elizabeth Bainbridge and Ryland Davies. The performance is conducted by Sir John Pritchard who seems to make no apologies for using rubato and other "romatic" nuances to help color the music. The sound is excellent and I have included Dido's death scene from Les Troyens sung by Baker. It is a very interesting counterpoint.
BONUS:
Janet Baker sings Didon's death scene from Les Troyens.
OD 10410-1
