Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Sir John in Love," a captivating classical album released on March 11, 2016, under the Lyrita label. This two-hour masterpiece is a delightful journey through the composer's unique interpretation of Shakespearean themes, set to a rich and varied orchestral palette.
The album is a complete recording of Vaughan Williams' comic opera "Sir John in Love," which draws inspiration from Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor." The opera is divided into four acts, each prefaced by a prelude that sets the tone for the ensuing musical drama. The tracklist is a whirlwind of lively arias, duets, and choruses, showcasing Vaughan Williams' mastery of vocal and instrumental composition.
From the playful "What-hoa!" that opens the opera to the intriguing "This Is Strange, Who Hath the Right Anne?" that concludes it, the album is a testament to Vaughan Williams' ability to blend humor, romance, and intrigue into a cohesive musical narrative. The opera's libretto, penned by Vaughan Williams himself, is brought to life through the skilled performances of the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Choir, conducted by Bryden Thomson.
"Sir John in Love" is not just an opera; it's a celebration of Vaughan Williams' distinctive musical language, which seamlessly blends English folk melodies with modernist harmonies. The album offers a rare opportunity to experience the full scope of Vaughan Williams' musical genius, from his lyrical and evocative writing for voices to his inventive and dynamic orchestration.
Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "Sir John in Love" promises a rewarding and engaging listening experience. So, sit back, relax, and let the enchanting melodies and captivating storytelling of Ralph Vaughan Williams transport you to the merry world of "Sir John in Love."
2016 Lyrita2016 Lyrita
Tracks
Sir John in Love, Act I: Prelude - What-hoa!Ralph Vaughan Williams, Heddle Nash, Parry Jones, Gerald Davies, Denis Dowling, Roderick JONES, John William Kentish, Forbes Robinson, Denis Catlin, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: Sir Hugh, Persuade Me Not...Ralph Vaughan Williams, Heddle Nash, Parry Jones, Andrew Gold, April Cantelo, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: Ahem...Ralph Vaughan Williams, April Cantelo, Gerald Davies, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: This Is My Father's ChoiceRalph Vaughan Williams, April Cantelo, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: Do but Look on Her EyesRalph Vaughan Williams, James Johnston, April Cantelo, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: I See I Cannot Get Thy Father's LoveRalph Vaughan Williams, James Johnston, April Cantelo, Denis Dowling, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: Vere Is Dat Knave Rugby?Ralph Vaughan Williams, Francis Loring, Ronald Lewis, Andrew Gold, Pamela Bowden, James Johnston, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: Master FentonRalph Vaughan Williams, Pamela Bowden, James Johnston, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: How Now, Mine Host of the GarterRalph Vaughan Williams, John William Kentish, Denis Catlin, Forbes Robinson, Owen Brannigan, Roderick JONES, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: I Spy Entertainment in HerRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick JONES, Forbes Robinson, Denis Catlin, John William Kentish, Owen Brannigan, John Cameron, Denis Dowling, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: Wilt Thou Revenge?Ralph Vaughan Williams, Denis Catlin, Forbes Robinson, John Cameron, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act I: Love My Wife? I Will Be PatientRalph Vaughan Williams, John Cameron, Marion Lowe, Laelia Finneberg, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act II: Prelude - Thine Own True KnightRalph Vaughan Williams, Laelia Finneberg, Marion Lowe, Pamela Bowden, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act II: Sigh No More, LadiesRalph Vaughan Williams, Laelia Finneberg, Pamela Bowden, Marion Lowe, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act II: Bardolph, Bardolph, I Say!Ralph Vaughan Williams, Roderick JONES, John William Kentish, Pamela Bowden, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act II: Go Thy WaysRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick JONES, John William Kentish, John Cameron, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act II: Sir, My Name Is BrookRalph Vaughan Williams, John Cameron, Roderick JONES, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act II: Ha, Is This a Vision?Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Cameron, Francis Loring, Owen Brannigan, Gerald Davies, Heddle Nash, Denis Dowling, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act III: Prelude - Yet Hear Me SpeakRalph Vaughan Williams, Sadlers Wells Opera Chorus, Owen Brannigan, James Johnston, April Cantelo, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act III: Let Him Woo for HimselfRalph Vaughan Williams, April Cantelo, James Johnston, Sadlers Wells Opera Chorus, Owen Brannigan, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act III: As We Sat Down in PapylonRalph Vaughan Williams, Parry Jones, Andrew Gold, Heddle Nash, Denis Dowling, Gerald Davies, Owen Brannigan, Francis Loring, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act III: Peace, I Say!Ralph Vaughan Williams, Owen Brannigan, Denis Dowling, John Cameron, Parry Jones, Ronald Lewis, Andrew Gold, Heddle Nash, Francis Loring, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act III: What, John! What, Robert!Ralph Vaughan Williams, Marion Lowe, Laelia Finneberg, Roderick JONES, Heddle Nash, Pamela Bowden, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act III: Alas My Love, You Do Me WrongRalph Vaughan Williams, Marion Lowe, Pamela Bowden, Roderick JONES, Laelia Finneberg, Sadlers Wells Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act III: Ah! How Now, Where Bear You ThisRalph Vaughan Williams, John Cameron, Heddle Nash, Marion Lowe, Denis Dowling, Parry Jones, Francis Loring, Gerald Davies, Owen Brannigan, Forbes Robinson, John William Kentish, Denis Catlin, Sadlers Wells Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act IV: Pardon Me, WifeRalph Vaughan Williams, John Cameron, Marion Lowe, Denis Dowling, Parry Jones, Laelia Finneberg, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act IV: There Is an Old Tale GoesRalph Vaughan Williams, Laelia Finneberg, Denis Dowling, Marion Lowe, John Cameron, Parry Jones, Francis Loring, Gerald Davies, Sadlers Wells Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act IV: Entr'acteRalph Vaughan Williams, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act IV: The Windsor Bell Hath Struck TwelveRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick JONES, Marion Lowe, Laelia Finneberg, Sadlers Wells Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act IV: I Think the Devil Will Not Have Me DamnedRalph Vaughan Williams, Roderick JONES, April Cantelo, Pamela Bowden, Parry Jones, John William Kentish, Denis Catlin, Owen Brannigan, Forbes Robinson, Sadlers Wells Opera Chorus, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act IV: Nay, Do Not FlyRalph Vaughan Williams, Denis Dowling, Laelia Finneberg, John Cameron, Marion Lowe, Owen Brannigan, Denis Catlin, John William Kentish, Forbes Robinson, Pamela Bowden, Parry Jones, Roderick JONES, Gerald Davies, Heddle Nash, Andrew Gold, Francis Loring, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
Sir John in Love, Act IV: This Is Strange, Who Hath the Right Anne?Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Cameron, Laelia Finneberg, James Johnston, Denis Dowling, Roderick JONES, Sadlers Wells Opera Chorus, April Cantelo, Marion Lowe, Philharmonia Orchestra, Stanford Robinson
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