Birtwistle: The Mask of Orpheus

Advantages: Original instruments, classical greek myth
Disadvantages: Serious and tragic

...Two CD set: Orpheus and Euridice Awarded the Gramophone award in 2002, Orpheus and Euridice is a recording of Hadyn's last opera. It is an opera seria relating the tragic Greek myth. The opera was never performed in Haydn'd lifetime. The myth in a nutshell goes as follows. Eurydice, a nymph, is in despair as she contemplates her forthcoming marriage to Arideus. She is ready to die, but Orpheus saves her life by playing his harp and singing. Eurydice’s father, Creon, agrees to let her to marry Orpheus. When Eurydice is bitten by a snake and dies, Orpheus is inconsolable. He consults the Sibyl, who takes him to the underworld to search for her. Pluto allows Orpheus to search for Eurydice in the Elysian fields, but Orpheus is warned not to look at his wife. He cannot resist glancing at her, and loses her for a second time. As he... Read review

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Advantages: Gaily jolly, irreverent, humorous, bawdy, tuneful. A masterful reworking of the primary opus of the master of French comic opera. If you enjoy Gilbert and Sullivan track this one down – I can guarantee you a surprisingly wonderful musical experience.
Disadvantages: None

...“Orpheus in the Underground? I know that. It’s about a Greek bloke who got lost on the Paris Metro, isn’t it?. Written by a Frenchman. It’s got the can-can in it”. Well, let’s scotch a few misconceptions right at the outset! No it isn’t; no it wasn’t and no it doesn’t. Hopefully I will help to correct these misunderstandings by the end of this review. Regular readers may be aware that I am about half way through my series of articles about the re-released DECCA recordings of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas by the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company. So, what am I doing, writing about an operetta that is not G&S and is patently not English? Well, there is a whole raft of reasons why it is appropriate – and my timing here is more in the way of an intermission. Richard D’Oyly Carte was instrumental in bringing W.S. Gilbert (librettist... Read review

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Advantages: some decent tunes
Disadvantages: too many mediocre ones

...~ Fleetwood Mac - Behind The Mask ~ Shortly after the release of the highly successful Tango In The Night Album , band member Lyndsey Buckingham decided to pursue his solo career , and ultimately left the group . To replace him , the remaining band members brought in two singer / guitarists ( as per Buckingham ) , these being Billy Burnette and Rick Vito . Replacing Buckingham was always going to be difficult , and the critics were ready to pounce should they fail to produce the goods , their first offering being Behind The Mask , was released on the Warner Bros. record label ( release no. 7599-26111-2 ) in 1990 , three years after Buckingham had quit. Sadly for the Mac , the critics were cynical , resulting in poor sales ( in comparison to Buckingham era albums , all of which reached at least Gold selling status... Read review

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