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Ruders: The Thirteenth Child / Shwartz, Starobin, Odense Symphony
Bridge Records

Ruders: The Thirteenth Child / Shwartz, Starobin, Odense Symphony

$19.99

Details

Composer
RUDERS, POUL
Artist
Bridge Academy Singers, Boehler, Sewailam, Mumford, Kent, Shafer, Portill
Format
CD
Label
Bridge Records
Released
Jun 21, 2019
Catalog #
BCD9527
UPC
090404952722

About

The Thirteenth Child is an opera in two acts, with music by Poul Ruders to a libretto by Becky & David Starobin. Commissioned by The Santa Fe Opera and the Odense Symfoniorkester, the libretto is an adaptation of the Brothers Grimm story, "The Twelve Brothers." The recording, made in Denmark and the USA, brings Ruders's gripping 80-minute score vividly to life.

The Thirteenth Child is Poul Ruders's fifth opera. The Danish composer is well known for his gripping dystopian opera, The Handmaid's Tale. The Thirteenth Child shares some of the dark world of The Handmaid's Tale, but also gives the listener a fairy tale, full of romance, magic, and transformation.

REVIEWS:

There is plenty of space for lyrical solo numbers in Ruders’ score, which veers between mid-Atlantic neoromanticism and something edgier and more expressionist in the orchestral interludes...it’s particularly Sarah Shafer in the role of Lyra who makes the most of his smoothly contoured vocal writing.

– Guardian (UK)

Fairy tales advance by surprising, generally magical events, and Ruders has invented captivating music for each. Ruders and his librettists have created an enchanting work in the genre of the fairy-tale opera, replete with spells, magic gardens, a quest to find 12 long-lost brothers, and a princess (the 13th child of the title) fated to undergo ill and happy adventures before she rescues her brothers and weds her prince.

There are two outstanding singers here in mezzo Tamara Mumford, as Gertrude, and lyric soprano Sarah Shafer as Lyra. Ruders furnishes the mother-daughter relationship with his most beautiful music, and the two singers are luminous in tone and moving emotionally. I must single out bass Matt Bochler as Hjarne, who encompasses an extraordinary vocal range extending from Fafner-like low notes to an eerie high falsetto. As the love interest, Prince Frederic, lyric tenor Alasdair Kent has a gleaming romantic tone perfectly suited to some of Ruders’s most romantic melodies."

– Fanfare Magazine - June, 2019

Tracklist 27 tracks

  1. 1 Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: Drokan's Warning (Hjarne, Drokan, Twelve Princes) 03:29
    Track
    1
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: Drokan's Warning (Hjarne, Drokan, Twelve Princes)
    Duration
    03:29
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Matt Boehler, Ashraf Sewailam
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  2. 2 Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: Our House Endures (Hjarne, Twelve Princes, Gertrude) 02:25
    Track
    2
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: Our House Endures (Hjarne, Twelve Princes, Gertrude)
    Duration
    02:25
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Matt Boehler, Tamara Mumford
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  3. 3 Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: The Softest Spoken (Hjarne, Gertrude) 02:20
    Track
    3
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: The Softest Spoken (Hjarne, Gertrude)
    Duration
    02:20
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Matt Boehler, Tamara Mumford
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  4. 4 Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: What is this Madness? (Gertrude, Hjarne) 01:37
    Track
    4
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: What is this Madness? (Gertrude, Hjarne)
    Duration
    01:37
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Matt Boehler, Tamara Mumford
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  5. 5 Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: Lilies, Red as Blood (Gertrude, Hjarne) 03:53
    Track
    5
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: Lilies, Red as Blood (Gertrude, Hjarne)
    Duration
    03:53
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Matt Boehler, Tamara Mumford
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  6. 6 Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: The Night Air Groans (Hjarne) 02:51
    Track
    6
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: The Night Air Groans (Hjarne)
    Duration
    02:51
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  7. 7 Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: The Trembling of the Earth (Drokan) 01:31
    Track
    7
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: The Trembling of the Earth (Drokan)
    Duration
    01:31
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Ashraf Sewailam
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  8. 8 Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: Interlude I 00:43
    Track
    8
    Title
    Act I Scene 1: In a garden of the castle of Frohagord: Interlude I
    Duration
    00:43
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  9. 9 Act I Scene 2: 18 years later, in the Royal Chapel of Frohagord: Hjarne's Funeral (Mourners, Frederic, Drokan, Lyra, Gertrude) 05:07
    Track
    9
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: 18 years later, in the Royal Chapel of Frohagord: Hjarne's Funeral (Mourners, Frederic, Drokan, Lyra, Gertrude)
    Duration
    05:07
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Matt Boehler, Ashraf Sewailam, Tamara Mumford, Alasdair Kent, Sarah Shafer
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  10. 10 Act I Scene 2: 18 years later, in the Royal Chapel of Frohagord: Interlude II 00:42
    Track
    10
    Title
    Act I Scene 2: 18 years later, in the Royal Chapel of Frohagord: Interlude II
    Duration
    00:42
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  11. 11 Act I Scene 3: The Bedroom of Queen Gertrude: Twelve Brothers (Gertrude, Lyra) 04:42
    Track
    11
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: The Bedroom of Queen Gertrude: Twelve Brothers (Gertrude, Lyra)
    Duration
    04:42
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Tamara Mumford, Sarah Shafer
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  12. 12 Act I Scene 3: The Bedroom of Queen Gertrude: The Lilies of Frohagord (Gertrude, Lyra) 05:20
    Track
    12
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: The Bedroom of Queen Gertrude: The Lilies of Frohagord (Gertrude, Lyra)
    Duration
    05:20
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Tamara Mumford, Sarah Shafer
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  13. 13 Act I Scene 3: The Bedroom of Queen Gertrude: Interlude III 00:26
    Track
    13
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: The Bedroom of Queen Gertrude: Interlude III
    Duration
    00:26
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  14. 14 Act I Scene 3: The Bedroom of Queen Gertrude: Oh, Mother (Lyra) 04:22
    Track
    14
    Title
    Act I Scene 3: The Bedroom of Queen Gertrude: Oh, Mother (Lyra)
    Duration
    04:22
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Sarah Shafer
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    Benjamin Shwartz
  15. 15 Act II Scene 1: A dark, sinister forest, a cottage in the distance: The Forest (Lyra, Benjamin) 07:05
    Track
    15
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: A dark, sinister forest, a cottage in the distance: The Forest (Lyra, Benjamin)
    Duration
    07:05
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Sarah Shafer, David Portillo
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  16. 16 Act II Scene 1: A dark, sinister forest, a cottage in the distance: Food Song (Toke, Corbin, Benjamin, Nine Brothers) 02:07
    Track
    16
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: A dark, sinister forest, a cottage in the distance: Food Song (Toke, Corbin, Benjamin, Nine Brothers)
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Alasdair Kent, David Portillo, Alex Rosen
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  17. 17 Act II Scene 1: A dark, sinister forest, a cottage in the distance: A Riddle (Benjamin, Toke, Corbin, Nine Brothers) 01:42
    Track
    17
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: A dark, sinister forest, a cottage in the distance: A Riddle (Benjamin, Toke, Corbin, Nine Brothers)
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Alasdair Kent, David Portillo, Alex Rosen
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  18. 18 Act II Scene 1: A dark, sinister forest, a cottage in the distance: My Secret (Benjamin, Toke, Corbin, Nine Brothers) 03:11
    Track
    18
    Title
    Act II Scene 1: A dark, sinister forest, a cottage in the distance: My Secret (Benjamin, Toke, Corbin, Nine Brothers)
    Duration
    03:11
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Alasdair Kent, David Portillo, Alex Rosen
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  19. 19 Act II Scene 2: A darkened garden, the cottage has disappeared: The Spell (The Ghost of Gertrude, Lyra) 06:33
    Track
    19
    Title
    Act II Scene 2: A darkened garden, the cottage has disappeared: The Spell (The Ghost of Gertrude, Lyra)
    Duration
    06:33
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Tamara Mumford, Sarah Shafer
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  20. 20 Act II Scene 3: The Castle of Hauven, seven years have passed: Interlude IV 00:25
    Track
    20
    Title
    Act II Scene 3: The Castle of Hauven, seven years have passed: Interlude IV
    Duration
    00:25
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  21. 21 Act II Scene 3: The Castle of Hauven, seven years have passed: Light and Shadows (Townsfolk of Hauven, Drokan, Frederic) 02:05
    Track
    21
    Title
    Act II Scene 3: The Castle of Hauven, seven years have passed: Light and Shadows (Townsfolk of Hauven, Drokan, Frederic)
    Duration
    02:05
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Ashraf Sewailam, Alasdair Kent
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  22. 22 Act II Scene 3: The Castle of Hauven, seven years have passed: Frederic's Return (Frederic, Drokan, Townsfolk) 02:12
    Track
    22
    Title
    Act II Scene 3: The Castle of Hauven, seven years have passed: Frederic's Return (Frederic, Drokan, Townsfolk)
    Duration
    02:12
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Ashraf Sewailam, Alasdair Kent
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  23. 23 Act II Scene 3: The Castle of Hauven, seven years have passed: Keep My Beloved Safe (Frederic, Drokan) 01:20
    Track
    23
    Title
    Act II Scene 3: The Castle of Hauven, seven years have passed: Keep My Beloved Safe (Frederic, Drokan)
    Duration
    01:20
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Ashraf Sewailam, Alasdair Kent
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  24. 24 Act II Scene 4: Night time, at the Castle of Hauven: Fierce Winds of Change (Drokan) 03:45
    Track
    24
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Night time, at the Castle of Hauven: Fierce Winds of Change (Drokan)
    Duration
    03:45
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Ashraf Sewailam
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  25. 25 Act II Scene 4: Night time, at the Castle of Hauven: The Lilies Bloom (Lyra, Corbin) 04:14
    Track
    25
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Night time, at the Castle of Hauven: The Lilies Bloom (Lyra, Corbin)
    Duration
    04:14
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Sarah Shafer
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  26. 26 Act II Scene 4: Night time, at the Castle of Hauven: The Shadows Lift (Benjamin) 02:06
    Track
    26
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Night time, at the Castle of Hauven: The Shadows Lift (Benjamin)
    Duration
    02:06
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    David Portillo
    Ensemble
    Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin
  27. 27 Act II Scene 4: Night time, at the Castle of Hauven: Together We Will Heal (Lyra, Frederic, Toke, Corbin, Brothers, Townfolk) 01:23
    Track
    27
    Title
    Act II Scene 4: Night time, at the Castle of Hauven: Together We Will Heal (Lyra, Frederic, Toke, Corbin, Brothers, Townfolk)
    Duration
    01:23
    Composer
    Poul Ruders
    Performer
    Alasdair Kent, Sarah Shafer
    Ensemble
    Bridge Academy Singers, Odense Symphony Orchestra
    Conductor
    David Starobin