Janacek: “Osud.” Helen Field, Kathryn Harries, Philip...

Janacek: “Osud.” Helen Field, Kathryn Harries, Philip Langridge, Peter Bronder, Stuart Kale, others; forces of Welsh National Opera, Sir Charles Mackerras, conducting, EMI 7 49993 2 (compact disc). The current resurgence in the interest for Janacek’s stage works is due in no small part to the influence of Mackerras. He has unearthed and recorded a gem mostly unknown, even in Czechoslovakia. A bonus with this gem is the hauntingly lyrical vocal line that provides three superb roles: a composer, his wife and her mother. Though the latter two disappear at the end of Act II, dramatic tension is not dissipated in the final act, as the composer explains to students his failure to complete his opera. In this English-language performance Langridge is a sensitive, strong-voiced composer and Field discloses a silver-edged lyric soprano that she uses to telling effect for the opera’s most psychologically complex character. For crucial role of the mother, a stronger vocal and dramatic personality than Harries is needed. But, faced with the sweep and passion of Mackerras’ conducting of this great music, any complaints are quibbles.