Isaac Albeniz - Merlin / Wilson-Johnson, Skelton, Marton, Vaness, Odena, Eusebio (Teatro Real Madrid 2004)
This DVD records the Teatro Real’s unearthing of a living treasure – the world premiere of Albéniz’ Merlin, an unperformed and virtually unknown work of genuine power. Many believed the score was lost, until the conductor José de Eusebio reconstructed it from various manuscript sources and publishers’ proofs. Commissioned by an eccentric English Lord who supplied the libretti for the work, Merlin was meant to be the first of a trilogy of operas devoted to Arthurian legend and loosely based on Malory’s Morte d’Arthur – a sort of British counterpart to Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Unfortunately, the trilogy was never to be finished -- Albéniz died while working on the second installment, Lancelot, and never began the score of Guenevere, which was to be the third. Alas, the composer only heard the opening orchestral prelude to Merlin performed in his lifetime. In this stunning production, director John Drew has created a world of magic and fantasy, using evocative sets and splendid lighting. Merlin’s story begins just before Arthur pulls the sword from the stone. Morgan Le Fay suspects Merlin's magic trickery at work in Arthur’s success, which has denied her son Mordred the Kingdom. Although Arthur shows mercy in pardoning the mother and son after they engineered an uprising against his rule, Morgan is single-minded in seeking revenge against Merlin and the king. In the end, she is victorious -- Merlin is seduced and trapped in the Cave of Gold by Nivian, his own slave, who is working under Morgan le Fay's direction. Special Features: Interviews with Carol Vaness, David Wilson-Johnson and conductor José Eusebio Picture Format: 16:9 anamorphic • Subtitles: GB / D / F / ES Sound Format: Dolby 5.1 Surround & LPCM Stereo