Episode 354. Get to Know April Cantelo
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Only recently have I become fully aware of the exceptional voice and artistry of the late April Cantelo (02 April 1928 -16 July 2024). When she died last summer, I began more fully exploring her recorded output and to my surprise and delight, I found myself ranking her among the very finest 20th century British sopranos. It’s my great privilege to offer a full episode showing the wide range of musical genres that she effortlessly assayed. If her performances of Handel seemed near-definitive, it must also be remembered that she created the role of Helena in Britten’s Midsummer Night’s Dream in the summer of 1960 and championed the work of countless contemporary composers, including two heard here, Hugh Wood, and Malcolm Williamson, with whose works in particular she was closely associated. She is also featured in recordings of Grieg, Berlioz, Arne, and Wagner.
RECORDINGS HEARD IN THIS EPISODE
Maurice Greene, William Shakespeare: Orpheus with his lute (Henry VIII). April Cantelo, Raymond Leppard [1961]
Hector Berlioz (after William Shakespeare): Je vais la voir (Béatrice et Bénédict). April Cantelo, Colin Davis, London Symphony Orchestra [1963]
George Frideric Handel: Why so full of grief, my soul? (As Pants the Hart [Chandos Anthem No. 6], HWV 251b). April Cantelo, Ian Partridge, David Willcocks, Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields [1968]
Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears (after William Shakespeare): A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Two excerpts, world premiere performance, Aldeburgh 11.VI.60. April Cantelo, Marjorie Thomas, George Maran, Thomas Hemsley, Benjamin Britten, English Opera Group Orchestra.
- Act II. Injurious Hermia! Most ungrateful maid!
- Act III. Helena!… Hermia!… Demetrius!… Lysander!
Hugh Wood, Ted Hughes: The Horses, Op. 10. April Cantelo, Paul Hamburger [1974].
- I. The Horses
- II. Pennines in April
- III. September
Edvard Grieg, Henrik Ibsen: Solveig’s Song (Peer Gynt). April Cantelo, Alexander Gibson, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra [1963]
Malcolm Williamson, Dag Hammarskjold: Hammarskjold Portrait [excerpt]. April Cantelo, Ashley Lawrence, BBC Concert Orchestra [London 16.XI.77]
Richard Wagner (after William Shakespeare): Kennst du das Leid der Elternlosen (Das Liebesverbot). April Cantelo, Edward Downes BBC Northern Orchestra [BBC recording 27.VI.76]
Hugh Wood, Edwin Muir: The Rider Victory, Op. 11. April Cantelo, Paul Hamburger [1974].
- I. The Rider Victory
- II. Sorrow
- III. The Bird
- IV. Confirmation
Edvard Grieg, Henrik Ibsen: Solveig’s Cradle Song (Peer Gynt). April Cantelo, Alexander Gibson, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra [1963]
Thomas Arne, William Shakespeare: Come away, Death (Twelfth Night). April Cantelo, Raymond Leppard, English Chamber Orchestra [1961]
George Frideric Handel, Charles Jennens [text compiled from the King James Bible]: I Know that My Redeemer Liveth (Messiah). April Cantelo, Walter Susskind, London Philharmonic Orchestra [1958]