CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD (1852-1924): The Travelling Companion, Op. 146 (First Recording).

Description: First staged in 1925 and the last of Stanford’s nine completed operas, The Travelling Companion is based on a fantasy-laced story by Hans Christian Andersen. It finds the composer at his most economic but expressive – a last, remarkable demonstration of his brilliance as an orchestrator. The result, says Stanford biographer Jeremy Dibble in his booklet notes, “seems like an antidote to the heavier textures of Wagner and Richard Strauss and rivals the fairy-tale operas of the Russians”. 2 CDs. Libretto included. Kate Valentine (soprano), David Horton (tenor), Julien Van Mellaerts (baritone), Pauls Putins (bass-baritone); New Sussex Opera Orchestra and Chorus; Toby Purser.