<<  -- 3 --  Robert Anderson    EERIE AND IMPRESSIVE

Convinced that the ghost knew what he was talking about, Hamlet is all but convinced he should murder the royal pair. First, though, he must soliloquise about his own existence. 'Être ou ne pas être' may be clear enough to those who have progressed little beyond the pens of their aunts. To make doubly sure, Thomas sensibly repeats the line [listen -- 'Être ou ne pas être' (Act 3) -- DVD2 chapter 2, 0:01-1:37]. There then follows a scene of mounting dramatic power, as Hamlet confronts his mother with her guilt. She begins in genuine emotional torment [listen -- 'Hamlet, ma douleur est immense!' (Act 3) -- DVD2 chapter 5, 0:00-2:11]. But Hamlet's increasing fury means the ghost must intervene to rescue her.

It remains for Ophelia to go mad. This she does, not with the traditional flute in waiting, but by the aid of a clarinet. There are, however, trills and coloratura enough to indicate she has taken leave of her wits. The most touching section is an endearing 'Waltz of the Flowers' [watch -- 'Partagez-vous mes fleurs!' (Act 4) -- DVD2 chapter 9, 0:00-1:31]. With Ophelia drowned, the opera makes much of her funeral and burial. The two gravediggers perform their sombre task, though without poor Yorick's skull, alas. The dénouement is swift and effectively stage-managed by the ghost. 'Long live King Hamlet' gives the fine chorus and orchestra under Bertrand de Billy a last chance to display their brilliance after much sensitivity.

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