Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress - DVD

ENGLISH

Stravinsky: The Rake's Progress (OA1062D) (2010)<br /> <br /> Topi Lehtipuu (Tom Rakewell); Miah Persson (Anne Trulove); Matthew Rose (Nick Shadow); London Philharmonic Orchestra; Vladimir Jurowski<br /> <br /> In this celebrated Glyndebourne Festival production, David Hockney’s designs for director John Cox reinterpret the Hogarth etchings that inspired the opera’s libretto, written for Stravinsky by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman.<br /> In 2010, this revival under Glyndebourne’s Music Director, Vladimir Jurowski, captured the opera’s neo-classical spirit and its juxtaposition of whimsy, cynicism and compassion, prompting the Financial Times to call it, ‘‘as<br /> enjoyable a performance of Stravinsky’s opera as any that has come along".<br /> <br /> "Topi Lehtipuu as Tom is very fine too. He captures very well indeed Tom’s love for Anne, which is genuine and will be his salvation, but which he abandons by weakness of will. Miah Persson is adorable as Anne. She brings out beautifully the vulnerability of the character, but crucially she has brilliantly understood the steely determination present in Anne’s music, and acts it out, both physically and vocally, to perfection. The smaller roles are beautifully taken, and the chorus sings and acts splendidly. Time and again I was struck, as never before, by the sheer beauty of the sound of this work, and the orchestra plays magnificently under the inspiring direction of Vladimir Jurowski...Rapturously received in many quarters, you are likely to love it or hate it. Either way, there is no question, this life-enhancing DVD from Glyndebourne is truly special and not to be missed.<br /> <br /> " (Musicweb International)<br /> <br /> "The combination of Vladimir Jurowski and the London Philharmonic Orchestra ensures crisp ensemble of the highest quality." (Gramophone)<br /> <br /> "Full of colour and light, and brimming with wit, this is a production that lifts the performers...An absolute triumph." (BBC Music Magazine)