The Daily Telegraph
‘The balance between singers and orchestra is ideal, allowing the words to come across with clarity yet never compromising the richness and impact of the composer's orchestration. The WNO orchestra is a star in its own right here, and Carlo Rizzi presents himself as a true Janáček master in the way he squares the music's angularity with its forward-moving momentum.
The singers acquit themselves with equal authority. Cheryl Barker... sings with expressive strength. Robert Brubaker is ardent as her lover; Jane Henschel is a coolly calculating mother-in-law from hell (Kabanicha); and Peter Hoare well conveys the put-upon son and weak-willed husband.’
Libretto by the composer
after Ostrovsky's play The Storm
in the Czech translation by Cervinka
English translation by Norman Tucker
with revisions by Rodney Blumer and Henrietta Bredin
The Cast
Jane Henschel, mezzo-soprano - Marfa Kabanova
Peter Hoare, tenor - Tichon Kabanov
Cheryl Barker, soprano - Katerina
Gwynne Howell, bass - Dikoi
Robert Brubaker, tenor - Boris Grigoryevich
Victoria Simmonds, mezzo-soprano - Varvara
Peter Wedd, tenor (PMF Scholar) - Vanya Kudryash
Kathleen Wilkinson, mezzo-soprano (PMF Scholar)
- Glasha
Owen Webb, baritone - Kuligin
Claire Hampton, soprano (PMF Scholar) - Feklusha
Sian Meinir, mezzo-soprano - Zena
Philip Lloyd-Holtam, tenor - Passer-by
Chorus of Welsh National Opera
Orchestra of Welsh National Opera
Carlo Rizzi - conductor
Recorded in Brangwyn Hall, Swansea - 11-15 December 2006
Producer: Brian Couzens Sound engineer: Ralph Couzens Assistant engineer: Jonathan Cooper
Gramophone
‘This is the fifth Janáček opera in Chandos's Opera in English series, and with vivid, well separated sound, balancing the voices in front of the orchestra, the first impression is how clear the words are from the singers of the Welsh National Opera production on which the recording is based. This is a very welcome companion to the outstanding English version of The Makropulos Case conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras.
Carlo Rizzi, who conducted the live performances for WNO, is a comparably persuasive Janáček interpreter. The principal singer is Cheryl Barker, fresh, clear and powerful. Jane Henschel is outstanding as Marfa Kabanova, the rich widow who persecutes her daughter-in-law, wonderfully rich and firm throughout her range. The three tenor roles are exceptionally well taken. Gwynne Howell as the merchant Dikoi, uncle of Boris, is also excellent.
The old Norman Tucker translation is used with some minor amendments by Rodney Blumer, nom de plume of critic Rodney Milnes, with words admirably clear throughout, adding to the dramatic impact of the piece. Another outstanding issue in the Opera in English series.’
The Guardian
‘Jane Henschel is a superb Kabanicha, more authoritative than on her earlier, original language recording with Sylvain Cambreling, and Robert Brubaker's Boris - virile yet dreadfully self-pitying - has rarely been bettered.’
