Glyndebourne Festival Opera with John Pritchard
ARTHAUS 101 079
125' 00"

This is a somewhat mixed blessing. I can recall the strength of John Cox's 1974 Glyndebourne production and the intensity of John Pritchard's conducting, both of which are well represented here. The disappointment is Richard Lewis' singing of the title role. While my memory is of many beautiful and emotionally moving evenings from him, he appears here to be under some strain and what was so often the most mellifluous of musical lines, too often appears tight and uncomfortable. A great pity for so fine a singer. Other parts are more impressive, particularly Josephine Barstow as Electra and Bozena Betley as Ilia, and the choral and orchestral sound is fine throughout.

BH