This page lists all recordings of Betrothal in a Monastery, by Serge Sergeievitch Prokofiev (1891-1953) on CD & DVD. Generally, more recent CDs and DVDs are listed first, but with priority given to items that are in stock. |
All recordingsPrices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Prokofiev: Betrothal in a MonasteryProkofiev composed his last complete opera, Betrothal in a
Monastery, as the Nazis were invading Russia and the country
descended into a period of political repression and terror. However, the opera, a romantic comedy loosely based on Richard Sheridan’s 1775 play, The Duenna, was according to Shostakovich ‘one of Prokofiev’s most radiant and buoyant works’. Betrothal in a
Monastery highlights the cultural divisions between the faded
glamour of the impoverished aristocracy and the new wealth of
the lower classes. Ostensibly the plot concerns the trials of two pairs of lovers, Louisa and Antonio, and Clara and Ferdinand, but ultimately it is the fishmonger, Mendoza, who in the great tradition of the anti-hero, wins our empathy.
Viascheslav Voynarovskiy, Andrey Breus, Lyubov Petrova, Alexandra Durseneva, Vsevolod Grivnov, Nino Surguladze, Sergei Alexashkin & Alan Opie London Philharmonic Orchestra & The Glyndebourne Chorus, Vladimir Jurowski Recorded live at Glyndebourne on 12, 15 & 22 August 2006. A recording of a rarely performed work with
consummate Russian conductor and cast. “While Gergiev famously is not one to less the grass grow under his feet, Jurowski is faster still, dashing through the score in a way which brings delightful sparkle to many episodes but a feeling of breathlessness and harmonic cramping to others.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2008 “As a record of an operatic ensemble taken to rare limits of perfection, and handsomely presented, it's a unique experience.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2008 ***** “The music is always engaging, Vladimir Jurowski tackles it with real zest, and the top-notch, largely Russian cast makes every effort to exploit its definition of character and incident. But, as in so many comedies, the listener needs the visual element to help focus on the fast-moving libretto.” The Telegraph, 26th July 2008  BBC Music Magazine
Opera Choice - July 2008 |
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| |  | Prokofiev: Betrothal in a Monastery
Anna Netrebko (Louisa), Larissa Diadkova (The Duenna), Nikolai Gassiev (Don Jerome), Aleksander Gergalov (Don Ferdinand), Marianna Tarassova (Clara), Yevgeny Akimov (Don Antonio), Sergei Aleksashkin (Isaac Mendoza) & Yuri Shkliar (Don Carlos) Kirov Opera & Ballet, Valery Gergiev | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Anna Netrebko, Alexander Gergalov, Nikolai Gassiev & Larissa Diadkova Kirov Chorus & Orchestra, St Petersburg, Valery Gergiev Recorded: Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, September 1997 | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
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