Jonathan Dove is one of Britain's leading composers of opera. His community opera 'Tobias and the Angel' was premiered in 1999 at Christ Church, Highbury Fields in London and was then taken up by the Young Vic / English Touring Opera in 2005 during the refurbishment of the theatre company's regular venue. It was first performed at the newly re-opened Young Vic in 2006. The masterly libretto by David Lan is based on the Book of Tobit from the biblical Apocrypha. The colourful story of Tobit who is blinded after daring to give a fellow Jew a proper burial, and the ensuing adventures of his son Tobias, particularly appealed to the composer. It is undoubtedly one of Dove's brightest scores, possessing immense appeal and communicative powers. In this premiere recording of the opera the Young Vic production is directed by David Charles Abell.
Tobias and the Angel / Jonathan Dove ; David Lan (Peter Snipp, bass ; Rodney Clarke, baritone ; Omar Ebrahim, baritone ; James Laing, counter-tenor ; Hyacinth Nicholls, mezzo-soprano ; Darren Abrahams, tenor ; Kevin West, tenor ; Maureen Brathwaite, soprano ; Karina Lucas, mezzo-soprano ; Mensah Bediako, vocals ; Simon Greenhill, vocals ; George Ikediashi, vocals ; David Charles Abell, conductor ; Studio ensemble ; Studio chorus).
Note
"Church opera in one act"--Container.
Ed. recorded: Edition Peters.
Credits (note)
Libretto by David Lan.
Event (note)
Recorded at St. Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, Nov. 6-8, 2006.
Source of description (note)
Description based on hard copy version record.
Author
Dove, Jonathan, 1959-
Title
Tobias and the angel [electronic resource] / Jonathan Dove ; [libretto by David Lan].
Imprint
Colchester, Essex, England : Chandos, p2010.
Playing time
011518
Performer
Maureen Brathwaite, soprano; Hyacinth Nicholls, Karina Lucas, mezzo-sopranos; James Laing, counter-tenor; Darren Abrahams, Kevin West, tenors; Omar Ebrahim, Rodney Clarke, baritones; with supporting soloists, choruses, and instrumental ensemble; David Charles Abell, conductor.
Event
Recorded at St. Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, Nov. 6-8, 2006.