A tragical comedy or a comical tragedy
Opera in one act by Harrison Birtwistle
Libretto by STEPHEN PRUSLIN
Punch and Judy is an elaboration of the traditional children's puppet play into an opera which is intended to be meaningful to children and adults at the same time. The simplicity of the original is represented by the familiar and puppet-like characters, by the invented ' nursery-rhymes ' of the libretto, and by the waltzes. marches, lullabies, and serenades of the music. On top of this are superimposed kinds of language ind music more commensurate with adult interest.
Characters in order of singing:
Repetiteurs, Stephen Pruslin and Roger Vignoles
ENGLISH OPERA Group ORCHESTRA Leader. John Willison
Conducted by DAVID ATHERTON
Produced by Anthony Besch
The English Opera Group production from the 1968 Aldeburgh Festival
Broadcast on October 13. 1968