The Rape of Lucretia

Benjamin Britten's chamber opera about the legendary event that led to the end of kingship and the beginning of the Republic in ancient Rome, triumphantly returns to the Glyndebourne Festival, where it premiered in 1946. Fiona Shaw's extraordinarily persuasive 2015 production, set on a spare stage, presents the male and female chorus (Allan Clayton and Kate Royal) as archaeologists literally excavating the story in which proud Prince Tarquinius (Duncan Rock) is prodded by manipulative Junius (Michael Sumuel) to force himself on the virtuous Lucretia (Christine Rice), causing her to commit suicide. Those horrendous actions will in turn lead Lucretia's husband Collatinus (Matthew Rose), along with Junius, to plot rebellion against the ruling house, although the opera omits this conclusion, ending instead on a mournful chorus with a modern religious twist. A 13-member ensemble from the London Philharmonic plays with finesse for conductor Leo Hussain, capturing the score's many felicities while also displaying the extraordinary color and expression that the composer could elicit from so few instruments. The vocalism is strong across the board, with mezzo-soprano Rice bringing particular nobility to Lucretia, while baritone Rock is impressively powerful as Tarquinius. The subject of The Rape of Lucretia is, of course, deeply disturbing, but both Britten and Shaw treat it with admirable sensitivity. Presented in DTS 5.1 (DTS-HD 5.1 on the Blu-ray release) and LPCM stereo, extras include an interview with Shaw, a featurette on the history of the opera, and a cast gallery. Highly recommended. (F. Swietek)