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Title: A good read-through, but that's all
Review: I was completely shocked and disappointed by this recording of "Les Troyens." Despite an insufficient Dido in Josephine Veasey, Davis' earlier recording has life and drama. This one is brisk but unemotional, cleanly sung and played but totally lacking in drama. All of the voices (Heppner included) sound as if they are reaching for something but not finding anyone there but, more startling, Colin Davis' conducting has no dramatic feel or forward impetus despite (or perhaps because of) the brisk tempos. You would do much better to buy the old 1969 recording with Veasey and Vickers or, better yet, the early-'80s Met video with Jessye Norman (Cassandra), Placido Domingo (Enee) and the late Tatiana Troyanos (Dido) in one of her greatest roles.
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