Benjamin Britten - Young Person's Guide; Les Illuminations (Julie Roset; Lawrence Foster)

Information

Composer: Benjamin Britten

• The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Purcell, Op. 34
• Les Illuminations, Op. 18
• Symphonic Suite from "Gloriana", Op. 53a: III. Courtly Dances
• Sinfonia da Requiem, Op. 20: I. Lacrymosa

Julie Roset, soprano

Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo

Lawrence Foster, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Alpha Classics

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This tribute album honors Benjamin Britten ahead of the 50th anniversary of his death in 2026, under the direction of conductor Lawrence Foster with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. The program highlights Britten’s distinctive blend of impressionistic color and post-Romantic expression, including Illuminations on texts by Arthur Rimbaud, featuring soprano Julie Roset. It also includes The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, showcasing orchestral sections through variations on a theme by Henry Purcell, and the Sinfonia da Requiem, a deeply personal work dedicated to Britten’s parents. The album concludes with excerpts from Gloriana, reflecting his engagement with English ceremonial tradition.

Julie Roset is a French soprano acclaimed for her radiant tone, expressive phrasing, and stylistic versatility across baroque, classical, and early romantic repertoire. She has appeared at major venues including Opéra national de Paris, Opéra-Comique, Teatro Real, the Salzburg Festival, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, as well as the Metropolitan Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera. Her repertoire spans composers from Monteverdi and Handel to Mozart, Ravel, and Poulenc, alongside major sacred works by Bach, Haydn, and Mahler. She collaborates with conductors such as Esa-Pekka Salonen, Raphaël Pichon, and William Christie, and works closely with ensembles including Les Arts Florissants. A prizewinner of competitions including Operalia and the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, she trained at the Juilliard School.

Lawrence Foster is an American conductor of Romanian heritage, born in 1941 in Los Angeles, known for a distinguished international career spanning North America and Europe. He made his professional debut at 18 and quickly held early posts with the San Francisco Ballet and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. His career includes leadership roles with ensembles such as the Houston Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, as well as positions in Lausanne, Jerusalem, Barcelona, and Duisburg. Renowned for clear, intelligent interpretations, he is particularly noted for both modern repertoire and major operatic works at venues including the Metropolitan Opera and Royal Opera House. His extensive discography and awards reflect a career marked by versatility and international recognition.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz