Britten's BBC Films

[Pierre]

I accidentally posted about Peter Glossop twice, so I thought I'd try changing this to a heads up about the BBC films recently released on Decca. Apart from Billy Budd, there's one of Peter Grimes, another of Pears singing Winterreise, and another of Mozart's Idomeneo with Heather Harper, Robert Tear, Peter Pears, Anne Pashley and Rae Woodland. Has anyone seen any of these? Are they worth getting?

[bricon]

I have owned the Peter Grimes DVD for several months - i posted the following impressions on another forum in July.


Peter Grimes – DVD




In 1969 the BBC commissioned a production of Peter Grimes, to be conducted by Britten specifically for television. The production sessions took place at Snape Maltings between 24 and 28 February, 1969 and first broadcast by the BBC on 2 November of that year. This performance has recently been released on DVD by Decca.

This is possibly the finest account of Peter Grimes (musically) that is currently available on recordings (video or audio). Britten conducts the London Symphony Orchestra, Ambrosian Opera Chorus and children from Leiston Modern School, in a taut, driven, theatrical reading of the score – which left me breathless on occasions. There is a wildness and abandon apparent (particularly in musical climaxes) in this reading that was not so evident on Britten's (audio) recording of a decade earlier. The video quality is excellent; the original was shot in colour on videotape. The audio on the DVD is mono – but VERY high quality.

Peter Pears is cast as Grimes; the performance on this DVD was the last occasion that he performed the role. Pears' portrayal is complex; menacing-yet-tender, thoughtful-yet-impulsive, lucid-yet-verging on insanity. Pears' voice was still in splendid condition (he was 58) when this was recorded; a little darker than in earlier recordings perhaps, but he is still a masterful Grimes here. Heather Harper performs the part of Ellen Orford, as she did on the first Colin Davis recording/video. Harper is vocally perfect for this role and she absolutely nails the part dramatically; her ability to portray Ellen's strength and vulnerability at the same time is theatrically/operatically stunning.

The Balstrode of Bryan Drake is somewhat of a let-down (in comparison to the performances of Pears and Harper); Drake sings and acts the part well enough, he's just not on the same stellar level as the other two main principals. Balstrode is a pivotal role in this opera; he's possibly the only sympathetic character in the entire opera. My feelings towards (Drake's) Balstrode were dispassionate rather than sympathetic or otherwise positive. The remainder of the cast are all first rate; many with long associations with Britten and Alderburgh: Michael Rippon (Hobson), Owen Brannigan (Swallow), Ann Robson (Mrs Sedley), Elizabeth Bainbridge (Auntie), Jill Gomez, Anne Pashley (Nieces), Gregory Dempsey (Bob Bowles), Robert Tear (Rev Adams), David Bowman (Ned Keene), Monte de Lyle (Dr Crabbe – silent role), Simon Laing (Apprentice – silent role).

Peter Grimes is one of the great 'chorus operas" and the Ambrosian Opera Chorus provide a fabulous "in your face" soundscape which sat me back in my chair on occasions. The chorus in this opera is actually a defined "character" (the populace of the borough) who set and reinforce moral standards as well as providing a sort of running commentary to the unfolding drama and events of the opera.

The production was set "in period" (early 19th century) and the sets (by David Myerscough-Jones) and costumes (by Juanita Waterson) provided a realistic looking representation of the borough and its townsfolk. As this production was designed for television, each set can usually be viewed from any angle, rather than from the front-on perspective that would be usual in a theatrical production. Most scenes are tightly framed and most often in close-up. I would have sometimes preferred a more expansive view of the staging (particularly of the big chorus scenes) but it must be remembered that this was not a representation of a theatrical production but a specifically made for television one.

This DVD is a stunning document of one of the 20th century's operatic and musical pinnacles. I highly recommend this DVD to anyone with even the slightest interest in Britten or Peter Grimes. To be able to hear Britten's finest recorded performance of the work while viewing Pears' and Harper's portrayals of their most famous roles in fabulous performances make this DVD irresistible. I bought the DVD for about the price of a single, full-price CD (AU$28) – a price I consider an absolute bargain for this content.

[Anne]

Bricon, that was a wonderful review.  Thank you.

[eyeresist]

Your review has intrigued me, bricon. And are you a fellow aussie too?

[bricon]

Your review has intrigued me, bricon. And are you a fellow aussie too?

Yes.

I live in Sydney.

[eyeresist]

"

[bhodges]

Peter Grimes is one of the great 'chorus operas" and the Ambrosian Opera Chorus provide a fabulous "in your face" soundscape which sat me back in my chair on occasions. The chorus in this opera is actually a defined "character" (the populace of the borough) who set and reinforce moral standards as well as providing a sort of running commentary to the unfolding drama and events of the opera.

Thanks for your comments on this, bricon, and I will probably get this very soon.  This must be one of the most choral-heavy operas around, and I have heard other recordings with the Ambrosian group that were superb.

--Bruce