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Nimbus Records4.5
George Benjamin: Picture a day like thisGeorge Benjamin, composer and musical direction; Martin Crimp, libretto; Marianne Crebassa, mezzo-soprano; Anna Prohaska, soprano; Beate Mordal, soprano; Cameron Shahbazi, countertenor; John Brancy, baritone; Mahler Chamber OrchestraNimbus Records, 2024
It is with the memory of this premiere in mind that we now turn to Picture a day like this, an opera in seven scenes to a text by the same librettist, Martin Crimp. The art of prosody, melodic expression, rich orchestration and the subtle balance between soloists and instrumentalists remain intact. The fantastic character of the libretto, which I would invite you to read, is underscored by a likewise enchanting percussion.
On this recording, the composer himself leads a first-rate cast. Marianne Crebassa, who plays the Woman, has the difficult task of opening the opera with an unaccompanied recitative, but she succeeds brilliantly thanks to her sense of phrasing and musicality. In the next scene, soprano Beate Mordal and Canadian countertenor Cameron Shahbazi blend their voices remarkably to perform a passionate lovers’ duet. Let us also mention American baritone John Brancy as the Artisan, a singer well known in Canada for his regular appearances in opera productions and his success at the Concours musical international de Montréal. His voice is impressively dexterous, especially in this role’s particularly high register. In short, a recording that will certainly win new fans for contemporary opera.
Translation by Gianmarco Segato
