Wallace: Lurline / Bonynge, Lewis, Silver, Soar, Maxwell, Cullen, Janes

$20.99
Label
Naxos
Release Date
June 29, 2010
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      WALLACE, WILLIAM VINCENT
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Victorian Opera Chorus & Orchestra
    • PERFORMER
      Bonynge, Lewis, Ferris, Soar, Maxwell, Earle, Silver, Janes, Cu
    Product Details ⌄
    Works ⌄

    1. Act I: Overture

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    2. Act I Scene 1: Introduction: All is silent (Rhineberg)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    3. Act I Scene 1: Air: Idle spirit (Rhineberg)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    4. Act I Scene 1: Recitative and Chorus: Wake! Wake! (Rhineberg)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    5. Act I Scene 1: Recitative: Where is Lurline? (Rhineberg, Liba, Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar, Bernadette Cullen, Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    6. Act I Scene 1: Air and Chorus: Flow on, oh silver Rhine (Lurline, Liba, Rhineberg)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Sally Silver, Bernadette Cullen, David Soar

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    7. Act I Scene 1: Duet: What does she say? (Rhineberg, Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar, Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    8. Act I Scene 1: Romance: When the night winds (Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    9. Act I Scene 1: Recitative: How can the slime of earth (Rhineberg)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    10. Act I Scene 1: Chorus: Sail! Sail! on the midnight gale (Chorus)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    11. Act I Scene 2: Bring the mirror (Ghiva, Baron)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Fiona Janes, Donald Maxwell

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    12. Act I Scene 2: Duet and Chorus: Rupert! haughty Rupert (Ghiva, Baron)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Fiona Janes, Donald Maxwell

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    13. Act I Scene 2: Recitative and Trio: Ah, what's that, a note? (Baron, Ghiva, Rupert)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Donald Maxwell, Fiona Janes, Keith Lewis

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    14. Act I Scene 2: Trio: I see by the grey of the morn (Baron, Rupert, Ghiva)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Donald Maxwell, Keith Lewis, Fiona Janes

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    15. Act I Scene 3: Chorus: Drain the cup of pleasure (Guilhelm)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Paul Ferris

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    16. Act I Scene 3: Recitative and Chorus: Here's Count Rupert (Guilhelm, Rupert)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Paul Ferris, Keith Lewis

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    17. Act I Scene 3: Barcarolle: Our barque in silence (Rupert)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    18. Act I Scene 3: Finale: When on yon rock (All)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis, Paul Ferris, David Soar, Donald Maxwell, Roderick Earle, Sally Silver, Fiona Janes, Bernadette Cullen

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    19. Act II Scene 1: Chorus: Behold, behold wedges of gold (Chorus)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    20. Act II Scene 1: Recitative and Solo: Under a spreading coral (Rhineberg, Lurline, Gnome)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar, Sally Silver, Roderick Earle

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    21. Act II Scene 1: Recitative: 'Tis well he is at rest (Rhineberg)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    22. Act II Scene 1: Chorus: From his Palace of Crystal (Chorus, Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    23. Act II Scene 1: Recitative and Air: Sweet form (Rupert, Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis, Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    24. Act II Scene 1: Rondo: Take this cup (Rupert, Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis, Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    25. Act II Scene 1: Recitative: Open! Open! (Gnome, Liba, Rupert, Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Roderick Earle, Bernadette Cullen, Keith Lewis, Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    26. Act II Scene 1: Trio and Chorus: My rage beware! (Gnome, Lurline, Rupert, Liba)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Roderick Earle, Sally Silver, Keith Lewis, Bernadette Cullen

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    27. Act II Scene 1: Drinking Song: As through the glass (Gnome)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Roderick Earle

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    28. Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Alas! Ah me! How dismal (Ghiva)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Fiona Janes

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    29. Act II Scene 2: Ballad: Gentle Troubadour (Ghiva)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Fiona Janes

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    30. Act II Scene 2: Recitative: Oh, sweet daughter (Baron, Ghiva)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Donald Maxwell, Fiona Janes

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    31. Act II Scene 2: Chorus: Come away to the chase (Chorus)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    32. Act II Scene 3: Recitative and Ballad: The nectar cup (Rhineberg)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    33. Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Suspicion tortures me (Rhineberg, Gnome)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: David Soar, Roderick Earle

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    34. Act II Scene 3: Chorus: Ave Maria (Chorus)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    35. Act II Scene 3: Recitative: Dearest, I give thee wealth (Lurline, Rupert)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Sally Silver, Keith Lewis

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    36. Act II Scene 3: Finale: Oh, Heavens! it is my father (All)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis, Paul Ferris, David Soar, Donald Maxwell, Roderick Earle, Sally Silver, Fiona Janes, Bernadette Cullen

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    37. Act II Scene 3: Finale ultimo: Lurline, I yield me (All)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis, Paul Ferris, David Soar, Donald Maxwell, Roderick Earle, Sally Silver, Fiona Janes, Bernadette Cullen

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    38. Act III Scene 1: Entr'acte

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    39. Act III Scene 1: Recitative: Heavens, what a fearful storm (Baron, Ghiva)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Donald Maxwell, Fiona Janes

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    40. Act III Scene 1: Ballad: Home of my heart (Rupert)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    41. Act III Scene 1: Recitative: That voice, 'tis Rupert's (Baron, Ghiva, Rupert)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Donald Maxwell, Fiona Janes, Keith Lewis

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    42. Act III Scene 1: Chorus: Gold and wine (Rupert, Ghiva, Baron, Gnome)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis, Fiona Janes, Donald Maxwell, Roderick Earle

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    43. Act III Scene 1: Recitative: We've made a slight mistake (Baron, Ghiva)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Donald Maxwell, Fiona Janes

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    44. Act III Scene 1: Duet and Chorus: Lady, let this arm sustain thee (Baron, Rupert, Ghiva, Gnome)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Donald Maxwell, Keith Lewis, Fiona Janes, Roderick Earle

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    45. Act III Scene 2: Grand Scena: Sad as my soul (Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    46. Act III Scene 2: Recitative: Oh! welcome gentle hope (Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    47. Act III Scene 2: Scena and Air: Behold our Mistress (Liba, Lurline, Gnome) - Love, fatal passion (Rhineberg, Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Bernadette Cullen, Sally Silver, Roderick Earle, David Soar

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    48. Act III Scene 2: Quartet: Though the world (Lurline, Liba, Rhineberg, Gnome)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Sally Silver, Bernadette Cullen, David Soar, Roderick Earle

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    49. Act III Scene 3: Chorus: Now with joy each bosom (Chorus)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    50. Act III Scene 3: Grand Duet: Oh, Lurline! My Naiad Queen (Rupert, Lurline)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis, Sally Silver

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge

    51. Act III Scene 3: Finale: Oh, Rupert, in the forest (All)

      Composer: William Vincent Wallace

      Ensemble: Victorian Opera Chorus, Victorian Opera Orchestra

      Performer: Keith Lewis, Paul Ferris, David Soar, Donald Maxwell, Roderick Earle, Sally Silver, Fiona Janes, Bernadette Cullen

      Conductor: Richard Bonynge


William Vincent Wallace may not be a household name to today’s music-lovers but from 1845 until the end of the 19th century he was very popular as an operatic composer. He is not completely forgotten, however, and I knew at least an excerpt from his first opera, Maritana, from a Joan Sutherland record. On Marco Polo there is also a complete recording of the opera. Excerpts from Maritana coupled with music from a couple of other roughly contemporaneous British operas are available on EMI and on the Australian label Melba Deborah Riedel sings several Wallace arias plus others by Balfe, Faraday and Sullivan. Ms Riedel was scheduled to sing the role of Ghiva on the present recording of Lurline but died before the project could be carried through. The recording is dedicated to her memory.

The libretto is based on the legend of Lorelei, the 132 metre high rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine. In Heine’s poem Die Lore-Ley a kind of siren sings from the outcrop and distracts shipmen so that they crash into the rock. In this opera she falls in love with a human being, a young nobleman. When the River King hears this he knows that this will lead to her death. How the story ends I won’t reveal, which is a sneaky way of forcing readers to buy these two discs to find out.

And it is worth the moderate costs, since the music is wholly agreeable and the singing and playing, despite some blemishes, on a quite high level. The performing edition is by Richard Bonynge, who has done great things in dusting off long-forgotten operas and giving them a new lease of life. One can at once in the long overture hear that Wallace was a skilled orchestrator. The opening is an atmospheric description of a moonlit night on the Rhine, but the music becomes both lively and dramatic. When the imaginary curtain rises we are exposed once more to a serene and beautiful orchestral introduction, which is also woven into the recitative that follows and sung at the end before the aria.

So what does the music sound like? The easiest way of describing it is to see it as a forerunner of Sullivan. In a blindfold test I am sure many listeners would believe some of the melodies to be from one of the Savoy operas. Ingratiating and easy to hum they could comfortably command a place in any programme of light opera and operetta. What is missing is perhaps the tongue-in-cheek quality of some of Sullivan’s best creations and the glint in the eye. On the other hand the story doesn’t exactly cry out for such qualities. There are also several rousing choruses that remind me of G&S and the act finales are skilfully structured to rise to slap-up climaxes. In particular it is in the second act that Wallace’s inspiration flows at its richest. Take the opening chorus (CD 1 tr. 19) or the Sullivanesque Chorus From his Palace of Crystal (CD 1 tr. 22). Rupert’s aria Sweet form (CD 1 tr. 23) is lovely and somewhat later Ghiva’s song Gentle Troubadour (CD 2 tr. 2 is catchy. Rhineberg’s The nectar cup may yield delight in ¾ time (CD 2 tr. 5) is another hit. No wonder it was such a success in the 1860s.

Act III also has several highlights. Rupert’s ballad (CD 2 tr. 13) again recalls G&S and Lurline’s Grand Scena (CD 2 tr. 18) should be a dream number for any high soprano. The prayer, in particular, is noble and beautiful. The final scene opens with a riveting chorus (CD 2 tr. 22) followed by a long duet between Rupert and Lurline. In the ensemble that concludes the opera Lurline returns to her opening solo in act I but now heavily embellished.

Sally Silver in the title role has a bright lyrical voice, sailing effortlessly up in the highest reaches of the soprano register. She negotiates the coloratura passages with supreme ease. Hers is a most sensitive reading of a role that is both other-worldly and deeply human. Veteran Keith Lewis, best known perhaps as a stylish Mozart singer, makes the most of Rupert’s role, nuanced and sensitive, but today his beautiful voice is afflicted by a disfiguring wobble on sustained notes. This is, however, compensated for by his ravishing pianissimo singing. The end of his air (CD 1 tr. 23) is excellent proof of his ability. David Soar is a powerful and intense Rhineberg but slightly strained at times. Donald Maxwell, another veteran, is a splendid Baron Truenfels and even better is Roderick Earle as the Gnome. Try CD 1 tr. 27 for proof. Fiona Janes is a vibrant and expressive Ghiva. The orchestral and choral forces are splendid under Richard Bonynge’s experienced leadership.

There is a synopsis in the booklet but the libretto - including the original stage directions shown in the 1860 libretto - can be bought separately.

Victorian Opera Northwest, which ‘was formed to promote the excellent music found in the operas and operettas of forgotten 19th Century British and Irish composers has certainly lived up to their aim. Together with Naxos they have enriched the operatic CD-catalogue. Maybe not a dramatic masterpiece but all lovers of 19th century opera, and lovers of good melodies should hasten to add this set to their collections.

-- Göran Forsling, MusicWeb International