Stewart Robertson - Richard Rodney Bennett: The Mines of Sulphur (2005)

Sir Richard Rodney Bennett's 1965 opera The Mines of Sulphur was commissioned by Sadler's Wells and was very well received at its premiere. It went on to have productions at numerous European opera houses, including La Scala, but quickly faded into obscurity. Performances at Glimmerglass Opera in 2004, in a joint production with the New York City Opera, were hugely successful and resulted in this Chandos recording. Set in rural England in the seventeenth century, the opera tells the story of Rosalind, a gypsy, in league with Tovey, a tramp, and Boconnion, a deserter, who murders a wealthy landowner for his treasure. Before they can leave his mansion, they offer refuge to a band of traveling players in exchange for a performance of a play, leading to a devastating conclusion. Part of the opera's strength lies in Beverley Cross' taut and dramatic libretto. The music is atonal, although not strictly serial, so there are few hummable tunes, but Bennett is a natural stage composer and an evocative orchestrator, and he writes well for the voice; his expressive music illuminates the drama with rugged power, inexorably driving the story to its chilling ending. As in Wozzeck, the spiky musical language ceases to be an issue as audiences become caught up in the drama. Excitement and energy are palpable in the performances by the Glimmerglass cast and orchestra, conducted by Stewart Robertson. The opera is an ensemble piece with no minor roles; all the singers negotiate the angular vocal lines with absolute security, dramatic conviction, and admirably clear diction, while maintaining vocal purity and power. The orchestra plays with ferocious energy. The recording is a strong testimonial to the opera's viability -- it's a piece that deserves frequent productions. ~ Stephen Eddins