pioneers of giving works in the vernacular. But perhaps the most convincing reason for acquiring this set is the superb singing of the Opera North Chorus, who are in a sense this work's heroes... Heading the cast is Alan Opie... (The King's) early wifulness, followed by madness and then his conversion to Jehovah, are all depicted with an unerring feeling for every word of the text... As the one truly upright character, Zachariah, Alastair Miles proves his pre-eminence among British basses today in Verdi: every note of his two solos is sung with strength and a feeling for line, and he is as happy on high as below. Fenena is well served by Jane Irwin's lovely mezzo, shining forth...'

Classic fm
'David Parry's conducting is a model of dramatic drive and vigour. And there's a superlative cast that includes... a brilliant Susan Patterson in the notoriously difficult but exciting role of the violent daughter Abigail... It doesn't get much better than this.'