Regular readers will know I’m something of a Peter Grimes completist so I was interested to get my hands on a recording previously unheard by me (one of only two such!).  It’s a 1992 recording made in Watford Town Hall and, as far as I know, was not made in conjunction with a stage run.  The Grimes is Anthony Rolfe Johnson with Thomas Allen as Balstrode and Felicity Lott as Ellen Orford.  There’s also a young Simon Keenleyside as Ned Keene.  Bernard Haitink conducts with Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House. Continue reading →