Beethoven - Fidelio: Brewer, Margison, Philharmonia/Parry

Christine Brewer and Richard Margison pack a pretty punch as David Parry leads the Philharmonia on a mighty recording of Beethoven's Fidelio.

Composer: Beethoven
Repertoire: Fidelio 
Artists: Christine Brewer, Richard Margison, et al; Philharmonia/David Parry
Rating:  4/5 
Genre: Opera
Label: Chandos CHAN 3123(2)

David Parry draws some tremendous playing from the Philharmonia on this disc: thrilling horn calls, wind sounds that can caress the ear or terrify the heart, string playing that throbs with energy – and all at the service of the drama. Unfortunately the spoken dialogue sounds stilted and is poorly balanced. But Christine Brewer and Richard Margison bring both beauty and heft to their roles and, bar a few tiny slips, are excellent.