The Judgment of Paris (1742)
Words: William Congreve (1670-1729)
Edited by Ian Spink (1978)

Overture
1. i Largo – Con spirito
2. ii Minuet (Andante)
3. iii Giga (Con spirito)
4. Recitative (Mercury, Paris) - From high Olympus
5. Accompanied recitative (Paris) - O ravishing delight
6. Air (Mercury) - Fear not, mortal
7. Duet (Mercury, Paris) - Happy I of human race
8. Recitative (Juno, Pallas) - Saturnia, wife of thund’ring Jove am I
9. Air (Venus) - Gentle swain! Hither turn thee
10. Trio (Pallas, Juno, Venus) - Hither turn thee, gentle swain
11. Air (Paris) - Distracted I turn
12. Air (Juno) - Let ambition fire thy mind
13. Accompanied recitative (Pallas) - Awake, awake, thy spirits raise
14. Air (Pallas) - The glorious voice of war
15. Chorus - O how glorious ’tis to see
16. Accompanied recitative (Venus) - Stay, lovely youth
17. Air (Venus) - One only joy mankind can know
18. Air (Venus) - Nature fram’d thee sure for loving
19. Accompanied recitative (Paris) - I yield, I yield, O take the prize
20. Air (Paris) - Forbear, O goddess of desire
21. Grand Chorus - Hither all ye graces
22. Grand Chorus - Sing and spread the joyful news around

MARY BEVAN soprano - Venus*
SUSANNA FAIRBAIRN soprano - Pallas*
GILLIAN RAMM soprano - Juno*
ED LYON tenor - Paris*
ANTHONY GREGORY tenor - Mercury*
ANDREW MAHON bass*

*CHORUS | THE BROOK STREET BAND conducted by JOHN ANDREWS
WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING

Multi-ch Stereo
All tracks available in stereo and multi-channel

SA-CD
This hybrid CD can be played on any standard CD players

Thomas Arne’s opera The Judgment of Paris (1742), a setting of William Congreve’s libretto of the same name, is known only from the printed score, but in this world premiere recording is performed with panache and authority by The Brook Street Band and a scintillating young cast led by sopranos Mary Bevan (Venus), Susanna Fairbairn (Pallas) and Gillian Ramm (Juno), with tenors Ed Lyon as the shepherd Paris and Anthony Gregory as Mercury, all under the expert direction of conductor John Andrews. By the end of the opera we are not surprised when Venus’s softly, softly appeal to her shepherd judge succeeds over the more demonstrative blandishments of her competitors, Pallas and Juno. This is a lovely discovery, with all the cast joining in the spirit of this fable to give it a stylish and compelling revival.

The A-Z of Classical #1: Thomas Arne's Judgment of Paris: The first ever full recording of Thomas Arne's Judgment of Paris is spectacular. "The quality of the recording is as spectacular as the music, a hybrid SACD/CD disc that opens up so broadly that you might almost wonder precisely how many speakers you’ve surrounded yourself with. No, not the most technical description you’ll ever read, but play it. You’ll see." Dave Thompson, Goldmine, The Music Collector's Magazine, 11 June 2019

"... this charming piece is available in a world premiere recording from the Dutton label that features a first-rate lineup of soloists." "It’s all sung with a suitable lightness of touch, with sparkling accompaniment from the Brook Street Band, all artfully directed by John Andrews." Stephen Pritchard, The Guardian, 16 June 2019

"If Mary Bevan's Venus wins the golden apple with her ravishing Nature fram'd thee, Susanna Fairbairn and Gillian Ramm provide strong competition as Athene and Juno. ... Andrews's stylish conducting makes a strong case for this English baroque discovery.” Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times, 14 July 2019

"The preformance is lovely. John Andrews conducts with flair and style, and there is some delectable playing from The Brook Street Band. Ed Lyon makes an ardent Paris, his handsome, almost earthy tone nicely contrasted with Anthony Gregory's Mercury, lighter of voice, a bit otherworldly and very refind. Mary Bevan sounds ravishing as Venus.” "Susanna Fairbairn ... delivers Pallas's big aria with majestic aplomb, ... Gillian Ramm's Juno, making much of her intractable material, is all hauteur and lofty condescension. It's very entertaining, and great fun." Tim Ashley, Gramophone, August 2019