Britten's music is not for all tastes. I for one like and am intrigued by his style. Owen Wingrave is not my favourite opera of his, but any Britten opera is worth hearing and Owen Wingrave is no exception. This is a really wonderful performance. Of the two performances I've seen, this and the Gerald Finley film this is the better one for me. Finley's was interesting but not without its problems. Part of the reason why I prefer this performance is that as it is a live performance it has more immediacy and spontaneity. Here, the costumes and sets have the right amount of atmosphere and elegance, and the orchestral playing and conducting are first rate, hair-raising and reflective when they needs to be. The staging is always involving, especially in the creepy climax, yet brings out the tragedy of the opera with a great deal of intelligence. The characters are still interesting, especially the protagonist and the secondary roles are much more fleshed-out than they are in the Finley version. The singing is just terrific. Benjamin Luxon is a powerful and moving Wingrave, while Sylvia Fisher is splendidly belligerent and fearsome as his fearsome aunt. Jennifer Vyvan and Heather Harper are sympathetic as Kate and Mrs. Coyle, and John Shirley-Quirk's Spencer is beautifully sung and characterised as you would expect. Peter Pears as Sir Phillip sings with his usual musicianship and intelligence. All in all, simply wonderful, how Britten should be sung and staged. 10/10 Bethany Cox
