Immerse yourself in the hauntingly beautiful world of Benjamin Britten's "Death in Venice," a monumental opera that masterfully blends classical elegance with neoclassical depth. Released in 1974 under the Decca Music Group Ltd. label, this two-and-a-half-hour opus is a testament to Britten's genius, offering a rich tapestry of choral and orchestral brilliance that captivates from the first note to the last.
Based on Thomas Mann's novella, "Death in Venice" is a profound exploration of art, beauty, and mortality. The opera is divided into two acts, each filled with intricate arias and ensembles that showcase Britten's unparalleled ability to convey deep emotion through music. From the haunting "My Mind Beats On" to the poignant "The Empty Beach: Do What You Will With Me," every track is a masterclass in composition, drawing the audience into a world of introspection and longing.
Britten's score is a symphony of contrasts, blending lush, romantic melodies with stark, modernist dissonances. The choral work is particularly striking, with the voices soaring above the orchestra in moments of transcendent beauty. The opera's themes of obsession, decay, and the fleeting nature of beauty are woven into the music, creating a powerful and unforgettable listening experience.
"Death in Venice" is not just an opera; it is a journey through the human condition, a reflection on the power of art, and a meditation on the inevitability of death. Benjamin Britten's masterpiece is a timeless work that continues to resonate with audiences, offering a profound and moving exploration of life's most profound questions. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "Death in Venice" is an album that will leave a lasting impression.
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "My Mind Beats On"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Who's That? A Foreigner, a Traveller No Doubt"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, John Shirley-Quirk, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Hey There, Hey There, You!"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, Sir Peter Pears, Stuart Harling, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Serenissima...Low-Lying Clouds, Unending Grey"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, John Shirley-Quirk, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: Overture: VeniceBenjamin Britten, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Ah, Serenissima!"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, John Shirley-Quirk, Michael Bauer, Kenneth Bowen, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Mysterious Gondola"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "We Are Delighted To Greet the Signore"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Was I Wrong To Come?"Benjamin Britten, Neville Williams, Sir Peter Pears, Iris Saunders, Anne Wilkens, Stephen James Adams, Janice Hooper Roe, Robert Carpenter Turner, Peter Leeming, Penelope McKay, Sheila Brand, Angela Vernon Bates, Anna Vincent, Michael Follis, Kenneth Bowen, Stuart Harling, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "There Is Indeed In Every Artist's Nature"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Iris Saunders, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Children's Games: Adziu, Adziu"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Aou'! Stagando, Aou'"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, Robert Carpenter Turner, Sheila Brand, Stephen James Adams, Anne Wilkens, Stuart Harling, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Naturally, Signore, I Understand"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, Kenneth Bowen, Sir Peter Pears, Ronald Murdock, Michael Bauer, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "Here Will I Stay, Here Dedicate My Days"Benjamin Britten, Neville Williams, Sir Peter Pears, James Bowman, Anne Wilkens, Iris Saunders, Janice Hooper Roe, Robert Carpenter Turner, Stephen James Adams, Peter Leeming, Penelope McKay, Sheila Brand, Anna Vincent, Michael Follis, Angela Vernon Bates, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "First, the Race!"Benjamin Britten, Neville Williams, James Bowman, Anne Wilkens, Iris Saunders, Janice Hooper Roe, Robert Carpenter Turner, Stephen James Adams, Peter Leeming, Penelope McKay, Sheila Brand, Anna Vincent, Michael Follis, Angela Vernon Bates, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 1: "The Boy, Tadzio, Shall Inspire Me"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "So, It Has Come To This"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "Guardate, Signore!"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "Do I Detect a Scent?"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Ronald Murdock, Michael Bauer, Stephen James Adams, Stuart Harling, Sheila Brand, Robert Carpenter Turner, Anne Wilkens, Anna Vincent, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "Careful Search Now Leads Me To Them"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Ronald Murdock, Michael Bauer, Keith Jones, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "This Way For the Players, Signori"Benjamin Britten, Neville Williams, Kenneth Bowen, Stuart Harling, Penelope McKay, John Shirley-Quirk, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "Fiorir Rose In Mezo Al Giasso"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "One Moment, If You Please"Benjamin Britten, Peter Leeming, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "In These Last Years"Benjamin Britten, Peter Leeming, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "So It Is True"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "Receive the Stranger God"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, James Bowman, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "The Empty Beach: Do What You Will With Me"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "Yes! A Very Wise Decision"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "Hurrah For the Piazza"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, Iris Saunders, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "Chaos, Chaos and Sickness"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: "The Wind Still Blows From the Land"Benjamin Britten, John Shirley-Quirk, Kenneth Bowen, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Death in Venice, Op. 88 / Act 2: Interlude: "Ah, No!"Benjamin Britten, Sir Peter Pears, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
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