A Grand Legendary Opera in three acts. Libretto by Edward Fitzball (1792-1873). New Performing Edition by Richard Bonynge
Keith Lewis (tenor), Paul Ferris (tenor), David Soar (bass-baritone), Donald Maxwell (baritone), Roderick Earle (bass), Sally Silver (soprano), Fiona Janes (mezzo) & Bernadette Cullen (mezzo)
Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.)
WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDING
The Lorelei Rock in the Rhine River on which the siren Lurline played her enchanting harp to lure fishermen to a watery grave is the setting for Lurline, heard here in a new performing edition by Richard Bonynge.
Victorian theatre critics declared it an outright success and the opera played for a substantial number of performances, making it a landmark production.
Wallace’s melodious score is even richer than that of his earlier opera, Maritana.
William Vincent Wallace: Lurline
Act I: Overture
Act I Scene 1: Introduction: All is silent (Rhineberg)
Act I Scene 1: Air: Idle spirit (Rhineberg)
Act I Scene 1: Recitative and Chorus: Wake! Wake! (Rhineberg)
Act I Scene 1: Recitative: Where is Lurline? (Rhineberg, Liba, Lurline)
Act I Scene 1: Air and Chorus: Flow on, oh silver Rhine (Lurline, Liba, Rhineberg)
Act I Scene 1: Duet: What does she say? (Rhineberg, Lurline)
Act I Scene 1: Romance: When the night winds (Lurline)
Act I Scene 1: Recitative: How can the slime of earth (Rhineberg)
Act I Scene 1: Chorus: Sail! Sail! on the midnight gale (Chorus)
Act I Scene 2: Bring the mirror (Ghiva, Baron)
Act I Scene 2: Duet and Chorus: Rupert! haughty Rupert (Ghiva, Baron)
Act I Scene 2: Recitative and Trio: Ah, what's that, a note? (Baron, Ghiva, Rupert)
Act I Scene 2: Trio: I see by the grey of the morn (Baron, Rupert, Ghiva)
Act I Scene 3: Chorus: Drain the cup of pleasure (Guilhelm)
Act I Scene 3: Recitative and Chorus: Here's Count Rupert (Guilhelm, Rupert)
Act I Scene 3: Barcarolle: Our barque in silence (Rupert)
Act I Scene 3: Finale: When on yon rock (All)
Act II Scene 1: Chorus: Behold, behold wedges of gold (Chorus)
Act II Scene 1: Recitative and Solo: Under a spreading coral (Rhineberg, Lurline, Gnome)
Act II Scene 1: Recitative: 'Tis well he is at rest (Rhineberg)
Act II Scene 1: Chorus: From his Palace of Crystal (Chorus, Lurline)
Act II Scene 1: Recitative and Air: Sweet form (Rupert, Lurline)
Act II Scene 1: Rondo: Take this cup (Rupert, Lurline)
Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Open! Open! (Gnome, Liba, Rupert, Lurline)
Act II Scene 1: Trio and Chorus: My rage beware! (Gnome, Lurline, Rupert, Liba)
Act II Scene 1: Drinking Song: As through the glass (Gnome)
Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Alas! Ah me! How dismal (Ghiva)
Act II Scene 2: Ballad: Gentle Troubadour (Ghiva)
Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Oh, sweet daughter (Baron, Ghiva)
Act II Scene 2: Chorus: Come away to the chase (Chorus)
Act II Scene 3: Recitative and Ballad: The nectar cup (Rhineberg)
Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Suspicion tortures me (Rhineberg, Gnome)
Act II Scene 3: Chorus: Ave Maria (Chorus)
Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Dearest, I give thee wealth (Lurline, Rupert)
Act II Scene 3: Finale: Oh, Heavens! it is my father (All)
Act II Scene 3: Finale ultimo: Lurline, I yield me (All)
Act III Scene 1: Entr'acte
Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Heavens, what a fearful storm (Baron, Ghiva)
Act III Scene 1: Ballad: Home of my heart (Rupert)
Act III Scene 1: Recitative: That voice, 'tis Rupert's (Baron, Ghiva, Rupert)
Act III Scene 1: Chorus: Gold and wine (Rupert, Ghiva, Baron, Gnome)
Act III Scene 1: Recitative: We've made a slight mistake (Baron, Ghiva)
Act III Scene 1: Duet and Chorus: Lady, let this arm sustain thee (Baron, Rupert, Ghiva, Gnome)
Act III Scene 2: Grand Scena: Sad as my soul (Lurline)
Act III Scene 2: Recitative: Oh! welcome gentle hope (Lurline)
Act III Scene 2: Scena and Air: Behold our Mistress (Liba, Lurline, Gnome) - Love, fatal passion (Rhineberg, Lurline)
Act III Scene 2: Quartet: Though the world (Lurline, Liba, Rhineberg, Gnome)
Act III Scene 3: Chorus: Now with joy each bosom (Chorus)
Act III Scene 3: Grand Duet: Oh, Lurline! My Naiad Queen (Rupert, Lurline)
Act III Scene 3: Finale: Oh, Rupert, in the forest (All)
Michael Quinn
25th August 2010
“Wallace’s music is easy on the ear, unfailingly mellifluous, and nimbly adept at broadening into bracing drama...Sally Silver is a seductive siren, Richard Lewis a sober (and rather mature-sounding) love interest, David Soar an imposing Rhine King, and Roderick Earle’s gnome Zelieck characterful and memorable.”
August 2010
“Lurline is sung here by Sally Silver, whose gleaming tone suits well enough. Otherwise, the best of the cast are the baritones and basses, Donald Maxwell, David Soar and Roderick Earle, whose clear enunciation helps make the words intelligible”
24th June 2010
****
“The performances, with Sally Silver as Lurline, Keith Lewis as the nobleman Rupert who falls for her, and Roderick Earle as the grumpy gnome, are much more than adequate too; altogether it's a real rarity that's a must at bargain price for anyone interested in 19th-century opera.”
18th June 2010
***
“The opera has a dramatic buoyancy that Richard Bonynge establishes well in this performance.”
25th June 2010
***
“The opera has a dramatic buoyancy that Richard Bonynge establishes well in this performance.”
Act I: Overture
