Rushton: The Shops - a comic opera (libretto by Dagny Gioulami)

ID: NMCD146 (EAN: 5023363014625)  | 1 CD | DDD
Released in: 2008

LABEL:

NMC

Collection:

Opera Collection

Subcollection:

Voices and Orchestra

Composers:

RUSHTON, Edward

Ensembles:

The Opera Group

Conductors:

MATEI, Alexandro

Other info:

The Opera Group's lively production of Edward Rushton's new opera, described as 'part satire on rampant consumerism, part psychological thriller.’

Edward Rushton’s new opera, The Shops is described as ‘part satire on rampant consumerism, part psychological thriller’. Its central character, Christoph Schmalhans, is an obsessive stamp collector. He manages to steal prize examples from museums with the aid of his girlfriend Francesca, who distracts attention by causing scenes. His activities eventually attract the interest of the police and psychologists. In between, there is a running commentary on the phenomenon of shopaholics, along with a song-and-dance number from members of a mutual support group.

Darren Abrahams (tenor), Anna Dennis (soprano), Phyllis Cannan (contralto), Richard Burkhard (baritone), Louise Mott (mezzo-soprano), Paul Reeves (bass)

"Rushton, a modernist by inclination, but one with a light and lyrical touch, writes beautifully for the voice, and Gioulami’s libretto - which also makes space for a wonderfully parodic consumers’ self-help group - does its job brilliantly. Patrick Bailey ably conducts the Opera Group’s excellent performance."
The Sunday Times