Description
Bartok's only opera, Bluebeard's Castle, is bitingly dramatic and keeps audiences enthralled from beginning to end. It is performed here with absolute authority by Opera North. This is the only available recording of the opera in English, and available at mid-price. Farnes and his cast deliver an impassioned, deeply resonant reading of Bartok's masterpiece revealing the protagonists' inner states in the brilliance of Bartok's orchestration which is full of both subtlety and power. Richard Farnes's performance was described by 'The Guardian' as 'heaving with an almost physical menace'. John Tomlinson is famous for his performances of Duke Bluebeard, having performed it in Hungarian many times. He is supported by the stunning Sally Burgess, as Judith Bluebeard's new wife. 'John Tomlinson's Bluebeard is superbly menacing and authoritative, his voice full of subtlety throughout its whole compass and with perfectly harnessed, effortless power...' wrote 'The Opera Critic'. Chandos is delighted to add this major recording from Opera North to our acclaimed Opera in English series.