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Barry Millington's rating
A ravishing oratorio
By
Barry Millington
10 Dec 2007
Schumann's rarely heard oratorio Paradise and the Peri was given a very welcome outing by the OAE and an equally starry cast under Simon Rattle. With a text based on Thomas Moore's epic poem of Persian mythology, Lalla Rookh, the oratorio tells the story of the fairy-like creature who longs to enter heaven but is unable to do so until she obtains the tears of a repentant sinner.
Schumann's heady, intoxicated music was beautifully caught by Rattle. Sally Matthews was a ravishing Peri, yearning and ecstatic by turns, while Bernarda Fink, Kate Royal, Mark Padmore and David Wilson-Johnson provided an ideal supporting cast.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
