The Love of Three Oranges

In this colorful 1982 production, the Glyndebourne Festival Opera beautifully extracts the commedia dell'arte flavor from The Love of Three Oranges, composer Sergei Prokofiev's take on the folk tale about a hypochondriacal prince who can only be cured by laughter. The remedy is effective, but at the expense of the evil Fata Morgana's dignity, and as a result, the wicked witch (sung by Nelly Morpurgo) casts a spell that sends him in pursuit of three oranges, each of which contains a princess. Who better to capture the colorful cast of characters—which also include a carnival of acrobats, jugglers, inflatable figures, and fanciful puppets, as well as the king, and various members of the court—than designer and children's author Maurice Sendak? With Bernard Haitink conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Ryland Davies as The Prince, Willard White as The King, and Ugo Benelli as court jester Truffaldino, it's quite a package: a cleverly presented fantasy that is a delight to all the senses (though a slightly bawdy backdrop and costuming may not make it suitable for all audiences). Presented in LPCM stereo, this is highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Reed)