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Editorial Reviews

If you keep in mind the fact that the work is supposedly a comedy and put out of mind the fact that the work is distantly based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, then you probably won't have any problem accepting Purcell's "The Fairy Queen," a Restoration variety show unrivaled in the English composer's stage output in terms of length and breadth, if not necessarily of quality. And, speaking of breadth, if you like your comedy played broadly, then you won't have any problem with John Eliot Gardiner's 1982 Archiv recording with the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists featuring a performance that is very broad indeed. The vocal soloists' characterizations are sometimes close to caricature, the instrumental soloists' playing is occasionally near to parody, and the overall direction is once or twice just this side of slapstick. Considering the texts and the music, this could legitimately be considered entirely appropriate, and, of course, it has to be acknowledged that the performance itself is supremely well executed. The singers from soprano Judith Nelson to bass Stephen Varcoe are fresh and vibrant, the players from violinist Elizabeth Wilcock to oboist David Reichenberg are bright and stylish, and the conducting from Gardiner himself is poised and alert. Recorded in crisp and colorful early digital sound, this recording will please and amuse every Purcell lover. James Leonard, All Music Guide

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