Gloriana

Benjamin Britten composed Gloriana as part of the festivities surrounding the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. Centering on the conflict between love and duty experienced by aging monarch Queen Elizabeth I, the opera was something of a disappointment to those celebrating Elizabeth's young namesake. Afterwards, Gloriana languished in relative obscurity until this inventive 1999 film treatment from director Phyllida Lloyd, which is presented as a play within a play, with backstage activity blending with performance scenes, lending tension and excitement to the dramatic story of an aging Elizabeth confronting her own mortality. A beautiful production, visually evoking a master painting, and boasting a variety of camera angles (including overhead shots which are particularly effective in the dance scenes), Gloriana features Josephine Barstow delivering a brilliant performance in the leading role (although I personally find her voice strident, I am in the minority). Barstow is backed by Tom Randle as Essex, the splendid chorus of Opera North, and the English Northern Philharmonia conducted by Paul Daniel, all of whom give superior performances, which keep this from being a one woman tour de force. Although significant cuts have been made to the Britten score, few will feel shortchanged. Presented in DTS 5.1 and LCPM stereo, DVD extras include a cast gallery and meaningful commentary by Barstow, Randle, Lloyd, and Daniel on “Gloriana at Opera North,” “Elizabeth and Essex,” “The Idea of the Film,” and “Gloriana, a Film.” Highly recommended. [Note: also newly available is a 1996 opera feature film of Britten's children's title Let's Make an Opera, priced at $19.99.] Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)