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Harrison Birtwistle - Gawain

Harrison Birtwistle's epic Gawain. Sir John Tomlinson is the Green Knight and Leigh Melrose, Gawain. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers are conducted by Martyn Brabbins.

Gawain, the epic opera by Sir Harrison Birtwistle, who died last month. Sir John Tomlinson is the Green Knight and Leigh Melrose, Gawain. The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers are conducted by Martyn Brabbins. Presented by Tom Service.

Gawain ..... Leigh Melrose (baritone)
The Green Knight ..... John Tomlinson (bass)
Morgan Le Fay ..... Laura Aikin (soprano)
Lady de Hautdesert ..... Jennifer Johnston (mezzo)
King Arthur ..... Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts (tenor)
A Fool ..... John Graham-Hall (tenor)
Guinevere ..... Rachel Nicholls (soprano)
Bishop Baldwin ..... William Towers (countertenor)
Agravain ..... Ivan Ludlow (baritone)
Ywain ..... Robert Anthony Gardiner (tenor)
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra
Martyn Brabbins conductor
Andrew Griffiths conductor

Birtwistle's iconic opera of the 1990s dramatizes the mysterious Arthurian legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight with sombre, often shattering, power. He and librettist David Harsent cast the story in two cyclical acts, emphasising the ritual aspects of the epic saga, and lending it hieratic force. The part of the Green Knight was modelled on the range of Wotan, and is pitted against the baritone Gawain. But is it Morgan Le Fay who is really controlling events? A rare opportunity to hear this striking modern classic, from an orchestra, chorus and conductor steeped in Birtwistle's music. And Sir John Tomlinson reprises the role he created, and he alone has sung.

3 hours, 29 minutes

Last on

Sat 28 May 2022 18:30

Music Played

  • Harrison Birtwistle

    Gawain - Act 1

    Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra. Singer: Laura Aikin. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins. Singer: Jennifer Johnston. Singer: Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts. Singer: Rachel Nicholls. Singer: Robert Anthony Gardiner. Singer: Leigh Melrose. Singer: William Towers. Singer: John Tomlinson. Singer: Brian Galliford. Singer: Ivan Ludlow. Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers.
  • Harrison Birtwistle

    Gawain - Act 2

    Orchestra: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony Orchestra. Singer: Laura Aikin. Singer: Jennifer Johnston. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins. Singer: Jeffrey Lloyd-Roberts. Singer: Rachel Nicholls. Singer: Robert Anthony Gardiner. Singer: Leigh Melrose. Singer: William Towers. Singer: John Tomlinson. Singer: Brian Galliford. Singer: Ivan Ludlow. Choir: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Singers.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Two-part Inventions Nos 1-4, BWV772-775

    Performer: Janine Jansen. Performer: Maxim Rysanov.
    • DECCA.

Broadcast

  • Sat 28 May 2022 18:30