Description:

This performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, made just two years after the premiere, may turn off some purists. The part of Oberon is played by a mezzo-soprano, as is the spoken role of Puck, and the children's chorus is sung by women (made all the more bizarre by their Argentine accents.) However, there are some very compelling performances hear particularly from Marie Collier who brings red-hot temperament to the role of Helena. The same can be said for the velvet-voiced Monica Sinclair as Hermia. The presence of dramatic voices in these roles adds a lot to the conflict between the lovers. Meredith Davies, no stranger to Britten, captures the unique ethereal quality of Britten delicate and raucous score. The sound is very good.

OD 10968-2