Opera in a prologue and three acts by Havergal Brian

The rediscovery In 1977 of the long-lost full score of this mammoth opera led to its first-ever performance, a BBC studio recording, made in association with the Havergal Brian Society, in January this year.
The Tigers are a regiment of First World War conscripts whose comic escapades while in training under 'Dad's Army' style leaders were devised by Brian as a distraction from the real horrors of that war. A fair on Hampstead Heath, a mock battle, and a ballet of cathedral gargoyles are just some of the grandiose scenes that make up Brian's fantastic landscape.
With no concern for practicalities, he wrote for 44 soloists (including a man on an elephant), several choruses and a vast orchestra. and in numerous roles
MARILYN HILL SMITH (sop), ANNE MARIE OWENS, AMERAL GUNSON (mezzo-sops), PAUL CROOK, HARRY NICOLL, JOHN WINFIELD, KENNETH WOOLLAM (tenors), IAN CADDY, HENRY HERFORD, ALAN OPIE, ALAN WATT, NORMAN WELSBY (baritones), RICHARD ANGAS, DENNIS WICKS (basses) BBC SINGERS chorus-master SIMON JOLY BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA leaders RODNEY FRIEND, MAURICE BRETT conducted by LIONEL FRIEND
Repetiteur MARY NASH
Technical presentation JOHN RUSHBY-SMITH
Tape editor PETER SIDHOM
Producer ELAINE PADMORE

Prologue and Act 1