The Fairy Queen
Purcell staged a lavish and expensive show forthe Theatre Royal in the first production of The Fairy Queen. Adapted from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, the opera takes on a bawdy, colourful tone in a revival of director David Poutney 's 1995 production for English National Opera. Tom Randle is the petulant Oberon, Kingofthe Fairies, quarreling with Joan Rogers as Titania, his Queen. In the bizarre world that unfolds, farce and wit are delicately combined with Purcell's haunting music. Presented by Stephanie Hughes , live from the Coliseum.
English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Paul Daniel Parti
7.35 Twenty Minutes: Purcell and Magic Many of Purcell's stage works and songs contain references to fairies, witches, magic and spells. Was this a reflection of the general interest prevalent in Britain at the time, orwas it a peculiar fascination unique to this composer?
7.55 Part 2