in Choir & Organ (May, 2019)
Caractacus was the last major work Elgar wrote before the Enigma Variations springboarded his reputation from an obviously gifted, though largely ‘local’ composer to a major national and international artist. The oratorio is set in the first century and rooted in Elgar’s beloved Malvern Hills and River Severn, with a final scene in Rome. The British chieftain Caractacus has defied the Roman invaders for eight years before being defeated in battle. He is taken to Rome where his eloquence in addressing the Senate and the Emperor’s clemency gained him limited freedom. Despite weaknesses in Henry Arbuthnot Acworth’s libretto, Elgar’s score is strong and characterful. It’s a period piece, of course, and …
Elgar: Caractacus – Martyn Brabbins
Caractacus, Op 35
Scene 1 No 1. Watchmen, alert! (Chorus) –
Scene 1 No 2. Watchmen, alert! the King is here (Caractacus/Sentries) –
Scene 1 No 3. Father! Sire and King (Eigen/Caractacus/Orbin/Sentries) –
Scene 1 No 4. At eve to the greenwood (Eigen) –
Scene 1 No 5. On the ocean and the river (Eigen/Orbin/Caractacus) –
Scene 1 No 6. Rest, weary monarch (Spirits of the Hill)
Scene 2 No 1. Tread the mystic circle round (Arch-Druid/Druids/Druid Maidens) –
Scene 2 No 2. Invocation: Lord of dread, and lord of pow’r (Chorus/Arch-Druid) –
Scene 2 No 3. Bard, what read ye? (Arch-Druid/Orbin/Caractacus/Druids/Druid Maidens) –
Scene 2 No 4. Leap, leap to light (Caractacus/Soldiers/Orbin/Arch-Druid) –
Scene 2 No 5. Hence, ere the Druid’s wrath is woke (Druids/Druid Maidens/Orbin/Soldiers)
Scene 3 No 1. Introduction: The woodland interlude
Scene 3 No 2. Come! beneath our woodland bow’rs (Youths/Maidens) –
Scene 3 No 3. O’er-arch’d by leaves (Eigen/Orbin) –
Scene 3 No 4. Last night beneath the sacred Oak (Orbin) –
Scene 3 No 5. Come! beneath our woodland bow’rs – They gather the wreaths (Youths/Maidens/Orbin/Eigen)
Scene 4 No 1. Wild rumours shake our calm retreat (Maidens) –
Scene 4 No 2. When the glow of the evening (Eigen/Maidens) –
Scene 4 No 3. We were gather’d by the river (Soldiers) –
Scene 4 No 4. Lament: O my warriors (Caractacus/Chorus)
Scene 5. Captive Britons, see them! (A Bard/Druid Maidens) –
Scene 6 No 1. Processional music: The march triumphal thunders (Chorus)
Scene 6 No 2. Unbind his hands (Claudius) –
Scene 6 No 3. Heap torment upon torment (Caractacus/Eigen/Orbin) –
Scene 6 No 4. Slay, slay the Briton! (Roman Citizens/Claudius) –
Scene 6 No 5. I plead not for myself (Caractacus/Orbin/Eigen/Roman Citizens/Claudius) –
Scene 6 No 6. Grace from the Roman! (Eigen/Orbin/Caractacus/Claudius) –
Scene 6 No 7. The clang of arms is over (Chorus)
Elizabeth Llewellyn, Elgan Llyr Thomas, Roland Wood, Christopher Purves, Huddersfield Choral Society, Orchestra of Opera North, Martyn Brabbins
20,60€
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