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King Roger
Karol Szymanowski's mystical, heavily symbolic masterpiece is given a thrilling performance lead by Charles Mackerras, who draws virulent emotions from the murky depths of the score. Peter Knapp is a firm-voiced, beautifully-polished Roger, the medieval king whose kingdom falls under the sway of a mysterious, messianic shepherd, sung by Henry Howell. Janet Gail, as Roger's wife, Roxana, delivers the goods in a high-lying role, although her diction is often mushy. The choral forces are extremely powerful, and the sound of this 1975 radio broadcast is excellent.
Track List
Act I
1. Mass
2. Who are you?
3. I dismiss the shepherd
2. Who are you?
3. I dismiss the shepherd
Act II
4. Oh, take my hand in yours
5. Roxana! Her voice!
6. In the holy here, as you this day commanded
7. Listen!
8. Listen, o Roger!
9. Then who will follow me?
5. Roxana! Her voice!
6. In the holy here, as you this day commanded
7. Listen!
8. Listen, o Roger!
9. Then who will follow me?
Act III
10. Drown me with lifeless marble
11. Oh, Roger, cruel Roger!
12. Oh my husband, I come to you!
13. Are you here?
14. The chain of day
11. Oh, Roger, cruel Roger!
12. Oh my husband, I come to you!
13. Are you here?
14. The chain of day
Customer Reviews
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3.3
Based on 4 reviews
✓ Verified Buyer
Austria
Well, I DO love ENO ...
... so this became my 4th "Roger", the first "Kíng" after 3 "Krol"s and consequently less consonant-clusters as a sideeffect. It´s a fine experience, and Mackerras stands - as literally always - for a high quality performance in the pit. No problems with the singers as well, so this is really to be recommended (at least as an interesting alternative listen, my first choice would still be the Satanowski-Teatr Wielki-recording. But there are operas, deserving 2nd, 3rd, even 4th choices ...).
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✓ Verified Buyer
France
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Riveting
Lush, mysterious and shot through with archaic modalities, Szymanowski's "King Roger" exerts a unique spell, especially when -- as here -- it is sung in the vernacular. The score is as meat and drink to Sir Charles Mackerras and the cast of unknowns proves up to snuff. Highly recommended.
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✓ Verified Buyer
United Kingdom
Robert Dean
A good standard ENO performance of the time and of a piece which really demands Eastern European singers. Even so Peter Knapp is impressive in the title role and Mackerras shows firm control of a complex score.
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