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The Rape of Lucretia
Although considered one of the defining Peter Grimes, Jon Vickers was far from a Britten specialist. This recording offers an interesting chance to hear Vickers in another Britten role, that of the Male Chorus. Vickers' over-sized tenor and persona are a good fit to this role setting the tragic tone for the whole opera. The rest of the cast is quite excellent. Patricia Ridout is excellent as Lucretia striking the right balance between purity and tragic stoicism. Allan Monk's virile baritone brings both regal and maleficent shadings to the role of Tarquinius.
Track List
Act I
1. Rome is now ruled by the Etruscan upstart
2. Here the thirsty eve'ning has drunk the wine
3. Love like wine spills easily as blood
4. Collatinus is politically astute
5. What makes the Nubian disturb his heavy mountain?
6. Tarquinius does not wait for his servant to wake
7. Their spinning wheel unwinds dreams
8. Time treads upon the hands of women
9. The oatmeal slippers of sleep
2. Here the thirsty eve'ning has drunk the wine
3. Love like wine spills easily as blood
4. Collatinus is politically astute
5. What makes the Nubian disturb his heavy mountain?
6. Tarquinius does not wait for his servant to wake
7. Their spinning wheel unwinds dreams
8. Time treads upon the hands of women
9. The oatmeal slippers of sleep
Act II
10. The prosperity of the Etruscans was due...
11. She sleeps as a rose upon the night
12. Thus sleeps Lucretia...
13. Lucretia!… What do you want?
14. Go, Tarquinius! Go, Tarquinius!
15. Here in this scene you see virtue assailed
16. O what a lovely day!
17. Good morning my Lady
18. Where is Lucretia? Tell me.
19. Lucretia! Lucretia! O never again must we two dare depart
20. This dead hand lets fall...
21. Is it all? Is all this suffering and pain
11. She sleeps as a rose upon the night
12. Thus sleeps Lucretia...
13. Lucretia!… What do you want?
14. Go, Tarquinius! Go, Tarquinius!
15. Here in this scene you see virtue assailed
16. O what a lovely day!
17. Good morning my Lady
18. Where is Lucretia? Tell me.
19. Lucretia! Lucretia! O never again must we two dare depart
20. This dead hand lets fall...
21. Is it all? Is all this suffering and pain
Customer Reviews
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5.0
Based on 4 reviews
✓ Verified Buyer
United States
Worth it for Vickers alone!
Since this is the only recording of Lucretia I've heard, it is hard to be critical. Vickers is great, and the others very good, but what stands out most is Britten's brilliant music!
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✓ Verified Buyer
United States
✓ Verified Buyer
Fantastic “Rape of Lucretia”
Here we have a live performance with an outstanding cast and, more importantly (in my view), a conductor who drives the music forward with even greater force than Britten. The stars of this show are obviously Jon Vickers as the Male Chorus (the only Britten role he ever sang other than Grimes), Patricia Rideout as Lucretia, and the great Allan Monk as Tarquinius. The drawback is that it is recorded from the audience, which recesses the voices somewhat even as it gives a natural “space” around the voices, and is in mono.But what a great performance it is! Lively in every respect, sung and acted splendidly, and conducted with a tautness ever greater than Britten’s own version. And once you get used to the sound, it isn’t bad at all; in fact, if anything, the orchestra is recorded with an almost 3D effect, with both the upper-range instruments (strings and winds) and percussion practically leaping out of the speakers at you.See my full review at https://artmusiclounge.wordpress.com/2018/04/28/fantastic-rape-of-lucretia-with-vickers-rideout/
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✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Adam Frei
Really wonderful to get to experience such a wonderful cast of singers bringing this bracing and dramatic work to life. Vickers in particular is searing, grabs and holds you from the very start. At times, hair raising, at others, caressing and gentle.
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