Word: veasey
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust, with Nicolai Gedda, Jules Bastin, Josephine Veasey (London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Colin Davis conducting; Philips; 3 LPs; $20.94). This work exists on one of the composer's loftier plateaus of the mind rather than on a workable theatrical level. Thus Damnation is in many ways especially well suited to armchair listening. Continuing his masterly unprecedented series devoted to Berlioz's major works, Davis again conducts with suave professionalism and lightning-like flashes of insight and revelation...
None of the singers have flawless French diction, but otherwise the Philips cast seems nearly perfect. Tenor Jon Vickers' heroic-sounding Aeneas has both muscle and gentleness; Mezzo-Soprano Josephine Veasey sings Dido with a burnished-bronze quality that can range from love to outrage. As Cassandra, Soprano Berit Lindholm is splendidly equipped to trumpet the doom of Troy, even if her voice is a bit too high for this low-ranging role...