Search - Colin Baldy, John Frederick Lampe, Jack Edwards :: Lampe: Pyramus and Thisbe; Flute Concerto (English Orpheus, Vol 29) /Padmore * Bisatt * Brown * Opera Restor'd * Holman

A great example of English humor

03/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since you've stumbled upon this site, let me try to persuade you to buy this disc. You won't be sorry. Pyramus & Thisbe is very enjoyable. First of all, it is superbly sung and played. But there is more. The plot itself deserves mention because it makes a pitch for English-language opera, thus falling in line with the present day movement which advocates staging famous operas in English translation. In brief, Pyramus & Thisbe is a musical parody on Italian opera, embedded into a spoken mini-play in which two English musicians are attempting to persuade their third colleague who had just returned from Italy that Britain has as much to offer by way of high brow entertainment as does Italy. The two advocates of home-grown opera thus present the haughty Italophile with the opera of their own creation. By the end the critic becomes persuaded; and the characters of the opera step out of their roles and express a wish that we, the audience, become persuaded too. It is hard to resist this humorous plea! NB: there are other English operas which were recently restored and recorded. E.g. Dibdin's Ephesian Matron (grotesquely funny!!) and Arne's Alfred. If you find them, buy both."