MacCunn Jeanie Deans - extracts

 Day 165

MacCunn Jeanie Deans (extracts)

Soloists

Scottish Opera Chorus

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra

Martyn Brabbins

After some time both literally and metaphorically in France it is time to go back across the channel and spend a few days exploring a genre of which I have only the sketchiest of knowledge - British 19th century Romantic opera. 

Hamish MacCunn is known almost entirely for his overture The Land of the Mountain and the Flood, which came to prominence when it was used as the signature tune for a TV series for a drama set, not surprisingly, in Scotland. I’ve played it a couple of times and thought it quite pleasant without giving it quite as much regard as some people clearly do.

Jeanie Deans dates from 1894 and  like some many 19th century operas is based, if somewhat loosely, on Walter Scott, in this case The Heart of Midlothian. It was well received at its premiere but soon fell out of the repertory and has had only occasional performances since 1900.  I was expecting it to be an example of  fake folklore with a lot of pastiche highland country music. That impression was certainly met early on when, after a short introduction, we got straight into Scots Wha Hae territory. But actually one you got past that there was some impressive music here in a mid to late 19th century mainstream operatic style - Verdi was certainly in the background as was Meyerbeer, and at times it does seem possible that I was listening to a little known Tchaikovsky opera in a bad translation.  There was a fair amount of amount of blood and thunder here and subtlety wasn't one of MacCunn's strong points, but the quieter, more contemplative, music was impressive particularly the lament Effie Deans (sister of the title character) sings in a prison cell. That could have found its place quite happily in an opera by any of the major 19th century opera composers without any embarrassment.