The Vision of Cleopatra

Successful recording of John Pickard's re-orchestration

Posted: 11 October 2017


July saw the recording of John Pickard's re-orchestration of Brian's The Vision of Cleopatra at St Jude's, Hampstead, London for Dutton. HBS President Martyn Brabbins conducted his English National Opera Orchestra and Chorus in a programme that also includes Two Choral Pieces on texts by Robert Herrick, the concert overture For Valour and the Fantastic Variations on an Old Rhyme, all composed in the first decade of the twentieth century. Cleopatra and the Herrick Pieces will be recorded premieres. Soloists in the Vision of Cleopatra are Claudia Huckle, contralto (Cleopatra), Peter Auty, tenor (Antony), Claudia Boyle, soprano (Iris) and Angharad Lyddon, mezzo-soprano (Charmion). Angharad sang the part of Cleopatra in the premiere of the re-orchestration with University of Bristol forces under John Pickard in March 2016.

Martyn Brabbins, Claudia Boyle, John Pickard, Angharad Lyddon, Peter Auty, Claudia Huckle during the recording sessions (photo courtesy Lewis Foreman)

Vision of Cleopatra