Britten, Benjamin - Rape of Lucretia - Daniel, Paul (Blu-ray)

Sarah Connolly's 'outstanding' (The Guardian) portrayal of the wronged Roman noblewoman, written originally for Kathleen Ferrier, lies at the heart of David McVicar's powerfully stark production for English National Opera as 'an everyday sort of woman who could be living at any time or place.' Her nemesis is the arrogant Tarquinius of Christopher Maltman, 'who made the air tingle with danger' (Financial Times). Filmed by the BBC at Snape Maltings during the production's premiere run at the 2001 Aldeburgh Festival.

Britten's =" chamber opera" was premiered at Glyndebourne in 1946, representing a stylistic departure from the grander Peter Grimes the previous year. Based on the legend of Lucretia who is raped by the Roman tyrant Tarquinius but kills herself rather than live with the shame.

Sarah Connoly : Christopher Maltman : John Mark Ainsley : Orla Boylan : Catheine Wyn-Rogers : Leigh Melrose : Clive Bayley : Mary Nelson

English National Opera at the Aldeburgh Festival Orchestra of ENO

Dirigent Paul Daniel

David McVicar