BERLIOZ
Romeo et Juliette
LSO & Chorus/Sir Colin Davis with
soloists
LSO 0003 CD [99.11]
(Live recording of performance at Barbican Centre, 11 January
00).
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This performance was reviewed in
S&H
(January 2000), in which it was noted that under the reliable hands
of Sir Colin Davis it was performed with fiery orchestral playing and a lusty,
large chorus representing the warring Montague and Capulet extended families.
Three of the most important movements, including their love scene, are for
orchestra alone & the LSO is in fine form.
On the night, from a seat a little too close, Orlin Anastassov (Friar Lawrence)
sounded too unremittingly intense, hectoring the bloodthirsty enemies to
make an uneasy truce. With recorded balance it is far better and my reservations
diminished. The other soloists made the most of their small parts. Daniela
Barcellona (mezzo) has a dark, rich voice and celebrated first love between
the unheard protagonists in the drama, whose love scene is purely orchestral.
Kenneth Tarver (tenor) was mercurial in his anticipation of the famous Queen
Mab orchestral scherzo, his light, mobile tenor a brief joy and welcome
respite from the predominantly serious matters portrayed.
For the remaining Berlioz Odyssey concerts see the LSO website
www.lso.co.uk/berlioz. Amongst the 11 CD versions of Romeo & Juliet in the
catalogue, there are two others conducted by Colin Davis:-
Phillips
442 134-2PH2 with the VPO (1993) and
Phillips
456 143-2PB6 with the LSO (1968/97).
Peter Grahame Woolf
