Leoš Janáček: The Cunning Little Vixen
Recorded at English National Opera, Sally Matthews sings the title role and Martyn Brabbins conducts Janáček's late, great pantheist hymn to nature, The Cunning Little Vixen.
One of the few operas inspired by a cartoon strip, The Cunning Little Vixen is one of Janáček's late, great works. Despite its simple story (a forester captures a vixen who then escapes, breeds and is eventually shot by a poacher) the opera nevertheless explores the big themes as the human condition – ageing, life lived in misery and regret – is contrasted with the freedom, joy and vigour of animal life and the ineluctable force of nature and its constant renewal.
Soprano Sally Matthews took the title role in English National Opera's new production, including a cast of fauna drawn from local schools, and in the pit, Martyn Brabbins conducted Janáček's luminous score.
Recorded in February at the Coliseum in London and introduced by Flora Willson in conversation with Nigel Simeone.
Acts 1 & 2
7.40 pm
Interval
7.55 pm
Act 3
Vixen Sharp Ears ..... Sally Matthews (soprano)
Forester ..... Lester Lynch (baritone)
Fox ..... Pumeza Matshikiza (soprano)
Schoolmaster/Mosquito ..... Alan Oke (tenor)
Priest/Badger ..... Clive Bayley (bass)
Forester's Wife/Owl ..... Madeleine Shaw (mezzo-soprano)
Dog ..... Claire Barnett-Jones (mezzo-soprano)
Harašta a poacher ..... Ossian Huskinson (bass-baritone)
Innkeeper/Cock ..... John Findon (tenor)
Inkeeper's Wife/Hen ..... Gweneth Ann Rand (mezzo-soprano)
Pepik/Woodpecker ..... Alexandra Oomens (soprano)
Frantik/Jay ..... Ffion Edwards (soprano)
Frog ..... Robert Berry-Roe (treble)
Cricket ..... Ethan James (treble)
Grasshopper ..... Kavya Kutsa (child soprano)
Young Vixen ..... Esme Gupta-Wright (child soprano)
Chorus and Orchestra of English National Opera
Martyn Brabbins (conductor)
Read the full synopsis on the English National Opera website https://bit.ly/3w6QOPr
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Music Played
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Leos Janáček
The Cunning Little Vixen - Act 1
Performer: Lester Lynch. Performer: Ossian Huskinson. Performer: John Findon. Performer: Gweneth-Ann Rand. Performer: Alexandra Oomens. Performer: Ethan James. Performer: Ffion Edwards. Performer: Kavya Kutsa. Performer: Esme Gupta-Wright. Performer: Robert Berry-Roe. Singer: Sally Matthews. Singer: Pumeza Matshikiza. Singer: Alan Oke. Singer: Clive Bayley. Singer: Madeleine Shaw. Singer: Claire Barnett-Jones. Choir: English National Opera Chorus. Orchestra: The English National Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins. -
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Leos Janáček
The Cunning Little Vixen - Act 2
Performer: Lester Lynch. Performer: Ossian Huskinson. Performer: John Findon. Performer: Gweneth-Ann Rand. Performer: Alexandra Oomens. Performer: Ethan James. Performer: Ffion Edwards. Performer: Kavya Kutsa. Performer: Esme Gupta-Wright. Performer: Robert Berry-Roe. Singer: Sally Matthews. Singer: Pumeza Matshikiza. Singer: Alan Oke. Singer: Clive Bayley. Singer: Madeleine Shaw. Singer: Claire Barnett-Jones. Choir: English National Opera Chorus. Orchestra: The English National Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins. -
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Leos Janáček
The Cunning Little Vixen - Act 3
Performer: Lester Lynch. Performer: Ossian Huskinson. Performer: John Findon. Performer: Gweneth-Ann Rand. Performer: Alexandra Oomens. Performer: Kavya Kutsa. Performer: Ethan James. Performer: Esme Gupta-Wright. Performer: Ffion Edwards. Performer: Robert Berry-Roe. Singer: Sally Matthews. Singer: Pumeza Matshikiza. Singer: Alan Oke. Singer: Clive Bayley. Singer: Madeleine Shaw. Singer: Claire Barnett-Jones. Choir: English National Opera Chorus. Orchestra: The English National Opera Orchestra. Conductor: Martyn Brabbins.
Broadcast
- Sat 18 Jun 2022 18:30BBC Radio 3