Benjamin Britten's Gloriana - Live 1984 Performance at the London Coliseum on DVD

Product Information

• UPC: 807280209792
• Product Code: 102 093
• Product Type: Opera DVD
• Format: DVD9 NTSC
• Running Time: 147 minutes
• Publisher: Arthaus Musik
• Year: 1984 (performance), released on DVD later
• Audio: PCM Stereo
• Picture Format: 4:3
• Region Code: 0 (Worldwide)
• Languages: English (Original)
• Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish
• Menu Languages: English, German, French, Spanish

Overview

Benjamin Britten's "Gloriana" captures the dramatic conflict between duty and desire in the life of Queen Elizabeth I. This acclaimed 1984 performance from the London Coliseum features the English National Opera under the baton of Mark Elder. The opera traces the tragic downfall of the Earl of Essex who, presuming upon his privilege as the Queen's favorite, forces a tragedy upon them both. Elizabeth I never forgot that she was the Queen and that, as a woman, she had to show she could rule with no less authority than a man; so she felt compelled to sentence Essex to death when he failed her and endangered her country.

With his strong sense of theatre, Benjamin Britten vividly depicts Queen Elizabeth's dilemma and combines scenes of great pageantry with moments of private reflection, creating a powerful portrait of one of history's most complex monarchs and her ill-fated relationship with the Earl of Essex.

Product Features

• Format: DVD9 NTSC, compatible with worldwide DVD players
• Video Quality: 4:3 aspect ratio
• Audio: PCM Stereo sound
• Running Time: 147 minutes of operatic performance
• Multilingual Support: Subtitles in English, German, French, and Spanish
• Interactive Menus: Available in English, German, French, and Spanish
• Region Free: Playable in all countries (Region 0)
• Special Production: Live recording from the London Coliseum with the English National Opera

Interesting Facts

Royal Commission

"Gloriana" was commissioned for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, creating an interesting parallel between the two Elizabethan eras. The opera premiered at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on June 8, 1953, just six days after the coronation ceremony.

Critical Reception

The opera initially received mixed reviews, partly because its portrayal of royal vulnerability was uncomfortable for audiences at a coronation celebration. However, it has since been recognized as one of Britten's most accomplished works, with this 1984 English National Opera production helping to cement its reputation.

Musical Innovation

Britten's score for "Gloriana" is remarkable for its integration of Tudor music styles with modern operatic techniques. The composer incorporates lute songs, courtly dances, and madrigals alongside his distinctive 20th-century musical language, creating a compelling sound world that evokes Elizabethan England while remaining distinctly contemporary.

Sarah Walker's Definitive Performance

Sarah Walker's portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in this production was hailed as a career-defining achievement. As The Washington Times noted: "Sarah Walker's stunning embodiment of that historic figure had the audience on its feet, bringing her back for ovation after ovation." Her performance captures both the public dignity and private vulnerability of the aging monarch.

Cast and Creative Team

• Queen Elizabeth I: Sarah Walker
• Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex: Anthony Rolfe Johnson
• Frances, Countess of Essex: Jean Rigby
• Sir Walter Raleigh: Richard Van Allan
• Penelope, Lady Rich: Elizabeth Vaughan
• Sir Robert Cecil: Alan Opie
• Charles Blount, Lord Mountjoy: Neil Howlett
• Henry Cuffe: Malcolm Donnelly
• Lady-in-Waiting: Lynda Russell

Conductor: Mark Elder
Stage Production: Colin Graham
Chorus Master: Leslie Fywan
Set Design: Colin Graham/Alix Stone
Costume Design: Alix Stone
TV and Video Direction: Derek Bailey
Orchestra and Chorus: English National Opera

Publishers

Published by Arthaus Musik GmbH. Opera libretto by William Plomer, published by Boosey & Hawkes.

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