Watching linked videos is only available to logged-in DONORS
Become a donor for as little as 10 Swiss Francs (~ 12$) life time
and get AD-FREE too.
DONATE HERE
FULL A Restoration Era Macbeth, with Music written for Macbeth by John Eccles Boston 2022
Information on the Performance
- Work Title: A Restoration Era Macbeth
- Composer: John Eccles
- Libretto: Laurence Senelick Libretto Text, Libretto Index
- Venue & Opera Company: Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, Boston, Massachusetts, Henry Purcell Society of Boston
- Recorded: June 11, 2022
- Type: Staged Opera Live
- Singers: Jacob Cooper, David Thomas Mather, Emily Siar, Emily Marvosh, Teresa Wakim
- Conductor: Ian Watson
- Orchestra: Instrumental Ensemble
- Choreographer: Kirsten Z. Cairns, Sonam Tshedzom Tingkhye
- Stage Director: Kirsten Z. Cairns
- Costume Designer: Jennifer Boudette
Information about the Recording
- Published by: Boston Purcell Society
- Date Published: 2024
- Format: Streaming
- Quality Video: 4 Audio:4
- Subtitles: yessubs, ensubs, gensubs
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE
SYNOPSIS
Narrator sets expectations for the audience in anticipation of watching “A Restoration Era Macbeth.” The spirits appear…
The witches resolve to meet Macbeth… At the camp, King Duncan awaits the news of the battle between the Norwegians and Scots. Macduff brings news of success to the king. The king bestows the title of Thane of Cawdor on Macbeth. Banquo and Macbeth encounter the witches. Macduff tells Macbeth of his new title.
King Duncan and his men, along with Macbeth, head out separately to Dunsinane Castle. Macbeth’s hunger for power grows as he recalls the witches’ prophecy. Back at home, Lady Macbeth reads a letter from her husband relaying what he has learned from the witches, and how he has already become the Thane of Cawdor.
Macbeth arrives early to tell Lady Macbeth that Duncan will stay the evening, and the plot for regicide quickly develops. The king arrives, and dancers dance a Scottish dance. Macbeth musters his courage for the dark deed.
Macbeth and Lady Macbeth deal with the aftermath of the murder. Macduff and Banquo speculate on who could have murdered the king. Fearing for their safety, Macduff, his wife and children begin a journey to Fife. Along the way they meet the witches, who seem to know of the evil deeds.
Macbeth enjoys his coronation, but his conscience is steeped in guilt. He plots to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Macduff and Lady Macduff suspect Macbeth of the crime, but Macduff leaves his wife and children behind as he seeks safety for himself, not believing that Macbeth would harm them.
Banquo is murdered but Fleance escapes. While hosting a dinner, Macbeth is struck with horror as he sees the ghost of Banquo. After the party, Macbeth is determined to see the witches again to hear more of the prophecy. Hecate is summoned by the witches for further rituals.Act 4
Hecate and the witches prepare a brew with blood of bat, oil of adder and juice of toad. Macbeth finds them after their incantation.
Hecate tells more of the future to Macbeth, including that he cannot die by the hand of a man born of a woman, but that he would fall when Birnam Wood should come to Dunsinane. Macbeth is infuriated by this prophecy. Macbeth speaks regretfully to the Queen, but is rebuked by her as she blames him for their predicament. Meanwhile, the witches perform a spell to raise the dead.
Macduff learns that his wife and children have been murdered and curses Macbeth, swearing vengeance. Lady Macbeth loses her mind. Macbeth is more resolute than ever to remain in power.
Act 5
Macduff rallies his countrymen to rise against Macbeth. They are camouflaged by Birnam Wood, but are prepared to lay siege to the castle. Macbeth is confronted by Macduff, who proclaims he was “untimely ripped” from his mother’s womb, and kills Macbeth, fulfilling the prophecy.