Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas

[Bogey]

Anyone have a recording of this work that they enjoy.  I need to pick one up to be familiar with it for a Feb. performance from this ensemble that my wife and I enjoy seeing (scroll down a bit):

http://dcc1079.googlepages.com/our2008-2009season

[Bogey]

This one looked good, but OOP:

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/Drilldown?name_id1=9777&name_role1=1&comp_id=2360&genre=33&bcorder=195&name_id=15158&name_role=3

[mn dave]

this

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

Yes, Bogey, AFAICS many people like Emma Kirkby here, I don't know the Kirkby/Hogwood though.
I bought two. My favourite:



The other one:



BTW, an interesting part in the OEA release, I think Mrs. Dawson sings wrong (Didos lament), doesn't she? "Forget my fate" clocks in too early here...:

[mp3=200,20,0,left]http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/21/1446950/didos_lament_excerpt.mp3[/mp3]

[jwinter]

this

Strongly seconded

[knight66]

This disc is on modern instruments, despite which I would go for it in preference to those recomennded as it packs such an emotional punch.



Mike

[Tsaraslondon]

This disc is on modern instruments, despite which I would go for it in preference to those recomennded as it packs such an emotional punch.



Mike

As usual, Mike, I'm with you. OK, so it's not HIP, but Dame Janet's singing transcends all thoughts of authenticity.

[Ciel_Rouge]

Did anyone get a chance to see it performed live?

As far as recordings are concerned, I strongly recommend this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Henry-Purcell-...6061467&sr=8-2

[Wilhelm Richard]

EMI´s recording with Kirsten Flagstad is wonderful.  Flagstad´s ¨Lament¨is heartbreaking.  I know, I know, definitely not a HIP recording but such a gorgeous performance, with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in the cast, should not be ignored.

[Tapio Dmitriyevich]

To me, Flagstadt sounds too mummy like, well, it's a matter of taste. My favorite is Susan Graham. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLJTDmIeUo8
Someone uploaded several Dido's Laments on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=margotlorena&view=videos&query=dido

[Coopmv]

This is one of the half-dozen of this work I have on CD and on LP ...

[Coopmv]

This is one of the half-dozen of this work I have on CD and on LP.  Not a HIP recording, but there is always certain magic between the ECO and Raymond Leppard, who happened to be the founder of ECO ...

[Que]

This is one of the half-dozen of this work I have on CD and on LP ...

Half a dozen, my, my. 

Doesn't seem a very interesting performance to me, BTW
Actually, I've heard it, but I needn't to do that to figure out that Jessye Norman as Dido is the miscast of the century...

Sounds like Mahler when she sings it, doesn't it?    =>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnzXbx97_UI

Q

[71 dB]

I suppose I am the only one with The Scholars Baroque Ensemble on Naxos. 

I bought it about 10 years ago when Naxos discs were 8 euros and everything else > 20 euros. It was the dark times before the blessings of Amazon marketplace.

[Elgarian]

I suppose I am the only one with The Scholars Baroque Ensemble on Naxos.

You are not alone! I have one of those! I never really got on with it though, and more recently I bought the new version with Sarah Connolly; partly because Gramophone raved about it, and partly because I've seen Sarah Connolly perform, so have a kind of special interest (I wonder about the psychology of all this). It seems very good to me. Whether it's as good as the obvious competition I can't say, not being familar with any others.

[Coopmv]

Half a dozen, my, my. 

Doesn't seem a very interesting performance to me, BTW
Actually, I've heard it, but I needn't to do that to figure out that Jessy Norman as Dido is the miscast of the century...

Sounds like Mahler when she sings it, doesn't it?    =>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnzXbx97_UI

Q

I bought it more for the ECO and Raymond Leppard and have never been a fan of Jesse Norman ...

[DarkAngel]

I have two now:



I like the Hogwood best of these two, had the Pinnock/Archiv but sold it in favor of these two.

[Coopmv]

I have two now:



I like the Hogwood best of these two, had the Pinnock/Archiv but sold it in favor of these two.

Good move.  When it comes to vocal works, Hogwood has always been the stronger of the two while the reverse is often true for instrumental works ...

[knight66]

This is one of the half-dozen of this work I have on CD and on LP ...

I used to have this recording. I knew before I bought it that it would be well out of style, but I enjoy Norman a great deal. However, after a while, Isolde does not fit Purcell and I ditched it. Folk may notice that sometimes Aeneas is sung by a high baritone, other times by a tenor. I don't mind which and in truth, he gets so little to sing, that as long as he does not get in the way, it does not matter.

The first witch is occasionally sung by a man. I don't mind that either as long as no one hams it up too much. Original instruments are a boon and the textures become luminous and when a small bright chorus is added, the choral numbers jump into life.

I have not heard the Connolly version, I would like some detail on the recording. I have the version with Haim and Susan Graham, but I don't think the performance is other than efficient. It does not grab me.

At one point I had an LP with Victoria de los Angeles. Charmingly accented English, but not really at all in style.

Mike

[Elgarian]

I have not heard the Connolly version, I would like some detail on the recording.

Your wish is my command:

http://www.chandos.net/details06.asp?CNumber=CHAN%200757