[.ca] Death In Venice

One of the best operas by Britten:
This is a must have for any Britten or 20th Century Music admirers. As you know, this opera is based on short story (in same name) by Thomas Mann. Libretto was written by Myfanwy Piper (Britten's close friend and librettist as well as "The Turn of the Screw") "Death in Venice" is a 2 act (17 scenes) opera and this is one of the last works of Britten. I think, this is the best opera with "Peter Grimes" and "Billy Budd" of composer. Because of this opera was written in his last period, Britten was used atonality and politonality in some passages. He was used a chamber orchestra: 2 flutes, piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, timpani, harp, piano, a small string ensemble. Only, the percussion section is large: gongs, bells, whip, 2 or more snare drums, bass drum, tenor drum, tom-tom, cymbals etc. (at least 4 or 5 players). And important roles are only three: Gustave Aschenbach (a famous writer, about 50 year old) Tadzio (a 15-year old, Polish boy and no singing role) The Traveller, Elderly Fop, The Gondollier, Hotel Manager, Barber of Hotel, Voice, of Dionysus, Conductor of a small Orchestra (all seven role are singing by a bariton!) And other minor roles given to the members of chorus (ex. tourists, strawberry-seller, the family, of Tadzio...) Aschenbach role is tenor and this was written specially for Peter Pears (as usual, because of Britten's lover!!) and, all seven roles was written for John Shirley-Quirk. The preformers of this roles are they in this recording, but the conductor is not Britten (like the other his Decca opera recordings), the conductor is Steuart Bedford (still, he is a great performer of Britten). Because, the composer was ill, but he was supervised the recording, still, this recording made in 1974, 2 year before the death of composer. Because of subject, the situation of "all seven roles given a bariton" may be explained which, Aschenbach is a victim of one man and he may be change is appereance and he gradually change Aschenbach's life. But, this is a mistake. Actually, Aschenbach (when he see Tadzio in Venice, and he to fall in love!!!) decides to live in Venice (in spite of there is cholera in Venice!) and in the end of opera, he deads with because of his destiny. All seven roles (a bariton), by chance, only help Aschenbach to change his life. The partiton is realist and hard, because of the opera tells about a crazy love story and spirit conditions of an artist narrated with a modern style. In recitatives, Aschenbach writes his book about the impressions of Venice and only piano accompanies to Aschenbach (this like, in old style, in Bach or Handel, in recitatives basso continuo and harpischord accompanies to soloist). In other words: this is a must have for any Britten, 20th Century Music or opera fans. This box set have a thick booklet includes synposis, libretto. Highly reccomended.