This Sunday, the period instrument performance specialist Paul McCreesh will re-examine Mendelssohn's ever-popular Old Testament oratorio, a culmination of a large-scale project like the one that led up to his revelatory 2009 Proms performance of Haydn's The Creation. Out go certain old-fashioned conventions; in come period instruments, a raft of enthusiastic choirs and a sensational line-up of soloists.
Of tonight’s soloists Sarah Connolly appears in the title roles of Handel’s Giulio Cesare (Glyndebourne) and. Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas (Royal Opera); whereas Simon Keenlyside is Tamino in Mozart’s Magic Flute and Don Giovanni both taken from the Royal Opera House – all available from Opus Arte.
If you enjoy Mendelssohn’s music, you might want to try Opus Arte’s DVD and Blu-ray of Balanchine’s ballet version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And Christopher Nupen’s documentary We want the Light deals with the troubled relationship of Jewish – German composers and musicians including the great Romantic.
Handel – Giulio Cesare (Glyndebourne) – OA 0950 D / OA BD7024 D
Purcell – Dido & Aeneas (ROH) – OA 1018 D / OA BD7049 D
Mozart – Magic Flute (ROH) - OA 0885 D / OA BD7002 D
Mozart – Don Giovanni (ROH) – OA 1009 D / OA BD7028 D
Mendelssohn – A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Pacific Northwest Ballet) – OA 0810 D / OA BD7003 D
We want the Light – OA CN0909 D
Sunday 28 August - 7.00pm - Royal Albert Hall
Mendelssohn - Elijah (sung in English)
Rosemary Joshua Soprano
Sarah Connolly Mezzo-soprano
Robert Murray Tenor
Simon Keenlyside Baritone
Taplow Youth Choir
Ulster Youth Chamber Choir
Chetham's Chamber Choir
North East Youth Chorale
Wrocław Philharmonic Choir
Gabrieli Consort & Players
Paul McCreesh Conductor