SIR JAMES MACMILLAN
(b. 1959)
premiere recording
The Sacrifice (2005-06)
131:06
Opera in Three Acts
Libretto by Michael Symmons Roberts
Based on a story from The Mabinogion
Act I
Scene 1
2.
Sian: 'I should not be here. Not tonight' -
5:20
with Evan
3.
Sian: 'The guests are laying out their clothes' -
2:37
with Evan
4.
Interlude. Andante -
2:01
Scene 2
5.
General: 'How is the dress, Megan?' -
6:43
with Sian, Megan
6.
Evan: 'Excuse me, Sir' -
2:14
with General, Megan
7.
Interlude. Andante -
1:29
Scene 3
8.
Megan: 'Queen of the blossom' -
6:56
with Mal, Sian
9.
Interlude [Passacaglia] -
3:57
Scene 4
10.
Chorus: 'God bless us all!' -
4:50
11.
The Birds: 'The moon became a man today' -
1:57
12.
General: 'As father I could burst with pride' -
3:04
with Ali
13.
Mal: 'I toast my wife. My wife! Ye gods!' -
4:44
with All, Sian
14.
Mal: 'Get him!' -
1:12
with Chorus, Sian, General
15.
Evan: 'Why bring a knife to a wedding?'
4:05
with The Birds
1.
Sian: 'Again, Megan' -
4:43
2.
Mal: 'A question for you - whose is this?' -
7:49
4.
Evan: 'So he's found the coat…' -
10:08
6.
Guests: 'Hail the king, long live the boy king!' -
3:55
7.
Mal: 'Thank you, Megan, a fitting gift for a nephew' -
4:53
8.
Mal: 'Come, the man who wounded me!'
3:49
9.
Chorus: 'Give this our son your peace eternal, O Lord' -
4:43
10.
Sian: 'I thought my hands were heaven-blessed' -
4:10
12.
General: 'Thanks, Megan, you make a good thief' -
7:24
14.
General: 'Mal! Mal! Mal!' -
3:57
15.
Mal: 'I cannot say I haven't dreamt a thousand times of killing him'
8:25
Solo: Samantha Hay soprano - 'The Birds' of Rhiannon/Three Dressers
Solo: Amanda Baldwin soprano - 'The Birds' of Rhiannon/Three Dressers
Choral: Chorus of Welsh National Opera
Orchestra: Orchestra of Welsh National Opera
Conductor: Anthony Negus