The Midsummer Marriage: Tippetts' cornucopia shines in fits and starts
Edward Gardner conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra in a new recording of Tippett's complete opera
The Midsummer Marriage, a modern retelling of The Magic Flute, is one of the major 20th-century operas.
Edward Gardner chose Tippett for his opening concert as the London Philharmonic, and now he has recorded the complete opera for the LPO label. The results are mixed, but there's no denying the power of Tippett's music.
The Midsummer Marriage is a complex and ambitious work, and Gardner's performance captures its full range of emotions. The opening scene, with its shimmering chorus and ethereal textures, is simply breathtaking. And the Act 2 finale, with its triumphant choral writing, is one of the most exhilarating moments in all of opera.
But there are also some longueurs in the score, and Gardner's pacing can be a bit stodgy at times. The recorded sound is also a bit too close-up, which can make the orchestra sound heavy and muddy.
Overall, this is a valuable recording of a major 20th-century opera. Gardner's performance is full of passion and commitment, and the LPO plays with great skill. But the score's longueurs and the recorded sound prevent this recording from being a truly great one.
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