Bloch: Macbeth - Rossi-Lemeni, Borkh, Pêtri, Angot; Colombo. Genève, 1968

Macbeth Ernest Bloch (1890 - 1959) DESCRIPTION Ernest Bloch had large shoes to fill when adapting Shakespeare's "Scottish Play" into an opera. He is aided by a clear point of view about Shakespeare's play, as well as a twentieth-century musical language influenced in part by contemporary ideas circulating among playwrights and, crucially, the emerging field of psychotherapy. The result is a work that leans into the psychological inner lives of its main characters, creating a distinct adaptation that avoids comparisons with Verdi's masterpiece. Nicola Rossi-Lemeni offers a brooding account of the title role. The part gives Rossi-Lemeni ample opportunity to display his oversized baritone without imposing the same vocal demands as Verdi's version. Bloch's Lady Macbeth eschews vocal pyrotechnics in favor of a vocal approach closer to Richard Strauss, making Inge Borkh a perfect fit. The recording's sound quality beautifully captures Bloch's murky yet detailed orchestral palette. CAST Lady Macbeth – Inge Borkh Macbeth – Nicola Rossi-Lemeni Macduff – Frantz Pêtri Banquo – Jean Angot Duncan – Michel Hamel Malcolm – Michel Lecocq Lennox – Georges L. Miazza Le Portier – Étienne Bettens Le Vieillard / Apparition – Gaston Presset Le Serviteur – Roland Jacques Lady Macduff / Première Sorcière – Lyn Vernon Deuxième Sorcière – Jocelyne Taillon Troisième Sorcière – Georgette Psaros Sorcière – Arlette Chedel DETAILS Location: Genève Date: October 31, 1968 Conductor: Pierre Colombo Catalogue Number: OD 12425-2 Label: Opera Depot Number of Discs: 2 In Stereo