a new composition by Clint Borzoni
with words by Walt Whitman
written for Caroline Worra
for American Opera Projects - Composers and the Voice
recorded with Jennifer Peterson on the piano June 2, 2008
THE MINES OF SULPHUR by Richard Rodney Bennett
2007 GRAMMY NOMINATION FOR BEST OPERA RECORDING
excerpts from the Live Recording by Chandos
CD REVIEW
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nifty Ghost Story With Perfectly Suitable Score July 5, 2011
By James S. Eisenberg
Format:Audio CD
"When I first saw THE MINES OF SULPHUR in its North American premiere in Toronto in the 1970s, I was absolutely riveted from beginning to end. Here is a gripping tale of murder and a ghostly theater troupe to which Richard Rodney Bennett's beautifully crafted atonal score is perfectly suited. I remember Toronto critics pointing out some inconsistencies in the plot development, but following the libretto, I can't figure out at this distance in time, what they were.
This live performance from Glimmerglass confirms my initial strong impression. The singers are uniformly first rate, especially Caroline Worra as Jenny the ghostly ingenue. The orchestral playing under Stewart Robertson is brilliant and the SACD sound recording, excellent ! (The random stage noises not too distracting !) There is an excellent liner note and a full libretto..”
"There could not be a better production of The Mines of Sulphur, either dramatically or musically than this one. I am deeply grateful to Nicholas Russell, Stewart Robertson, David Schweizer, the wonderful cast and everyone who was involved." Sir Richard Rodney Bennett (composer of The Mines of Sulphur)
"Caroline Worra, as Jenny. She frankly stole the show. Her voice is round, brilliant and lovely all the way from bottom to (considerably high) top, and she can do ANYTHING with it. The cherry on top: she is electric onstage, and a gorgeous blond, too."
"...Caroline Worra, made a feisty and distressed Jenny. With a voice that was at the same time big and intimate, she reached her high notes with precision and clarity."
"...the soprano Caroline Worra, in the coloratura role of Jenny, offered singing of power, grace, and dramatic understanding."
THE GREATER GOOD by Stephen Hartke
The New York Times and Opera News pick for one of the Best Classical Recordings of 2007
excerpts from the Live Recording by Naxos
"...the entire cast would sit arrayed in judgement behind Caroline Worra, heartstopping as Boule. Ms. Worra is a performer whose courage and talent are a gift to new work." David Schweizer (director of The Greater Good)
"But how to deal (tactfully) with the physical demands of the title role? In the end, a brilliantly designed and constructed "fat suit" transformed glamorous Caroline Worra into the lusciously plump figure in Maupassant's story." John Conklin (Associate Artistic Director of Glimmerglass Opera)
"As Boule de Suif, Caroline Worra, in a glowingly humane performance, gives the piece its moral frame of reference. Her candid, emotionally revealing aria about being left in Rouen with the occupying Germans reveals layers of roiling emotion, and the women respond to her as a person for the first time. A singer without Worra's warm, naturalistic delivery couldn't pull this off."
"...starring Caroline Worra in a brilliant and touching portrayal of Boule de Suif."
"The role of Boule is that of a dramatic soprano, here taken with vigour, refinement and impeccable intonation by Caroline Worra, an extremely gifted young singer who has come through the Glimmerglass Young American Artists Program."
"Soprano Caroline Worra, as Boule, stands out for the richness of her voice and the warmth of her portrayal."
Copyright 2010 Caroline Worra. All rights reserved.