“This double CD is the World Première recording of the last of Charles Villiers Stanford’s nine operas. It contains a narrative element strikingly similar to Puccini’s Turandot. … With the attractive tonal colours of Stanford’s music, in particular his orchestral and choral writing, it provides a fascinating and enjoyable experience. … Performances are excellent, especially orchestra and choruses. The principals, tenor David Horton as the hero John, a warm and dependable sounding baritone Julien Van Mellaerts as the companion and a powerful and dramatic soprano Kate Valentine as the Princess are particularly impressive. I remember long ago listening to radio plays before television. My imagination was able to conjure up clear pictures of the action. Listening to the CDs and following the stage directions in the accompanying booklet, in a similar way I envisioned a particularly colourful production of Stanford’s last opera.”
—Alan Cooper, British Music Society
Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence