Opera Broadcasts at BBC Radio 3:
June 9th Pelléas et Mélisande with Angela Kirchschlager and Simon Keenlyside. A recording of the performance conducted by Simon Rattle.
A reminder!
And a disclaimer because I just read a review of this performance in the June 1 edition of TLS and I am not sure it will be what I expected. The well respected critic
Andrew Porter calls it the 'quirkiest' show he has ever seen. Porter also says: "
Stanislas Nordey, directing, had scrapped Debussy's libretto for one of his own". In Act two there is no well, Mélisande tosses her ring into the orchestra pit. I always have an open mind to new directing, costumes, sets, lighting, whatever, as long as they keep the notes and the words of the composer. Well, this one must have believed he can do better than Debussy's librettist. Simon Rattle was complimented by Porter for holding to the score. "He didn't introduce musical changes to tickle a modern audience".
I think I'll listen and enjoy the music and Keenlyside, Finley, and Kirschschläger!