CD Spotlight. Un-buttoned Beecham - 'The Tales of Hoffmann' in a vintage performance enjoyed by Peter Dale. 'The recording is remarkably warm, surface noise minimal, characterisation lively, and orchestral playing spot on.'

<< -- 2 -- Peter Dale UN-BUTTONED BEECHAM

Beecham relishes the lilt of the Intermezzo, the Barcarolle that had long become one of his favourite orchestral lollipops [listen -- CD2 track 16, 0:57-1:47] but he's just as good at swagger or at spirits high as well as low. This is a vintage Tales of Hoffmann to enjoy in all sorts of ways.

Programme notes are slim but useful. The absence of reverential hagiography is to be welcomed, though Beecham's own 'performance' in the private rehearsal for the film-makers would have demolished any attempts in that direction anyway [listen -- CD2 track 19, 4:23-5:06].

Jacques Offenbach: The Tales of Hoffmann - The Beecham Collection

SOMM-BEECHAM 13-2 ADD Mono REISSUE (2 CDs) 63'13"/78'14" - TT 141'27" 2002 Lady Beecham and Somm Recordings

Robert Rounseville, tenor (Hoffmann), Dorothy Bond, soprano (Olympia), Margherita Grandi, soprano (Giulietta), Ann Ayars, soprano (Antonia), Bruce Dargavel, bass-baritone (Coppelius, Dapertutto, Dr Miracle), Monica Sinclair, mezzo-soprano (Nicklausse), Grahame Clifford, baritone (Spalanzani, Frantz), Owen Brannigan, bass (Schlemil, Crespel, Hermann), Sadler's Wells Chorus, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Thomas Beecham Bart, C H, conductor

The Tales of Hoffmann (Offenbach : Guiraud : Arundell) (sung in English) plus a previously unissued recording of Sir Thomas Beecham accompanying himself at the piano

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