Rooms of Elsinore is a new CD of music related to Brett Dean’s opera Hamlet.  Those familiar with the opera will quickly recognise the sound worlds of all five pieces.  Two began life as “character studies” for Ophelia and Gertrude respectively and so set words by Matthew Jocelyn.  The first, And once I played Ophelia is scored for soprano and chamber orchestra.  Some readers may recall Barbara Hannigan performing it with the TSO in 2019.  Here it’s performed by Jennifer France with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra and the composer.  It’s a tough sing with some very high sections and staccato repeated phrases.  She does a fine job. Continue reading →