Chandos offers the world premiere recording of this theatrically and
musically devastating opera commissioned and performed by Welsh National
Opera. This is released on CD only, and not available to download. The
Sacrifice, described by The Scotsman as ‘a powerful and evocative piece
of music’, is a compelling and timeless story of a ruler’s ultimate
sacrifice to safeguard the future of his war-torn, faction-ridden
country; a story of love, revenge and reconciliation, inspired by the
heightened mythical world of the Welsh folk-tales collected in The
Mabinogion. With hints of Tippett, Berg, Richard Strauss and the film
music of Bernard Herrmann this opera evokes the late-romantic idiom,
with a twenty-first-century twist.
The powerful cast of The
Sacrifice reunites a number of artists who have received great acclaim
for their recent roles with Welsh National Opera – and internationally:
Sarah Tynan (who sang the role of Iphis in Jephtha), Christopher Purves,
Peter Hoare, Leigh Melrose and Lisa Milne.
Further praise
came from Western Mail: ‘There is no mistaking James MacMillan has a
popular hit on his hands, with the cries of bravo as the curtain fell on
the world premiere of his new opera… MacMillan also creates music of
great beauty and the act two love duet between Siân and Evan is
mesmerising as are the songs given to Megan, Siân’s childlike sister,
sung exquisitely by Sarah Tynan… big, bold and audience pleasing.’
“Invest in this bold set and you’ll be rewarded
with singing of unflagging stamina from a strong cast (notably Lisa
Milne as Sian and Christopher Purves as the General, as well as
red-blooded, hugely committed contributions from the WNO Chorus and
Orchestra. The audibly spellbound Cardiff audience laps it up – as,
indeed, will the composer’s may admirers. Enthusiastically recommended.”
(Andrew Achenbach / Gramophone)
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