Britten : Death in Venice

« There are many fine and beautiful things in this production, and it is musically satisfying. Britten devotees such as myself will want to see it and return to it, as its point of view on this most equivocal of operas, is a fascinating one. » – MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

« Tenor John Daszak is an ideal Aschenbach, with unfailing purity of tone, elegance of phrasing, and clarity of diction. As an actor, he finds fine variety in the repetitive nature of the character’s befuddled longing. Baritone Leigh Melrose is magnificently menacing in the roles of Aschenbach’s mysterious guides (The Traveller, Elderly Fop, Old Gondolier, etc.). » – AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE

«Anthony Roth Costanzo is perfectly cast, his otherworldly timbre ideal for the unseen Voice of Apollo. Duncan Rock sings firmly and thoughtfully as the English Clerk and one of a busy commedia-inspired troupe embodying the double-dealing denizens of ambiguous Venice.

Alejo Pérez leads a clear, steady reading of Britten’s austerely magical score, while the disciplined members of the Teatro Real Chorus are perfect as a veritable horde of tourists. Essential viewing for all lovers of contemporary opera, this spellbinding Death in Venice stands far above the alternatives on disc. » – OPERA NEWS

« This recording of Britten’s Death in Venice is pleasingly staged. The performers John Daszak and Leigh Melrose are excellent, and dancer Tomasz Borcyk is a brilliant Tadzio. » – PIZZICATO

« John Daszak comes to the role of Aschenbach with more voice than most of his predecessors. He is dignified and unexaggerated in his portrayal, perhaps even a touch over-formal… Leigh Melrose, given the look of a satyr, offers vivid characterisations in the nemesis roles, though he has been encouraged to overplay the fop and, en travesti, the leader of the players. Anthony Roth Costanzo sings a suitably ethereal Apollo and Tomasz Borczyk, sporting a scallywag’s scarecrow haircut, is a native Polish Tadzio. » – GRAMOPHONE