The Midsummer Marriage (1984)

Director:

Elijah Moshinsky

Writer:

Michael Tippett (libretto)

Stars:

Philip Langridge, Lucy Shelton, Sarah Walker

Cast

Cast overview:
Philip Langridge	...	Mark
Lucy Shelton	...	Jenifer
Sarah Walker	...	Wise Old Lady
David Wilson-Johnson	...	King Fisher
Peter Jeffes	...	Jack
Roger Bryson	...	Wise Old Man
Philip Sheffield	...	Dancing Man
Janet Suzman	...	Sosostris
Alfreda Hodgson	...	Sosostris (voice)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

opera

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Genres:

Drama | Comedy | Music

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Company Credits

Production Co:

Thames Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

160 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Film of the Tippett opera

A remarkably beautiful and witty adaptation of the opera. The opening and final sequences, starting and finishing with a distant view of the earth from outer space to Tippett's wonderful music, are particularly memorable. But the casting and script are also excellent with the 'elders' appearing as thinly disguised Sydney and Beatrice Webb and the class distinctions between the two couples sensitively portrayed. Janet Suzman has a non-singing role as Madame Sosostris in an exotic scene in the middle act that is also memorable. This is a difficult opera to make sense of, and maybe one shouldn't try too hard, but Moshinsky gives so many clever allusions and hints that it is easy to suspend disbelief and to wallow in the glorious sounds and images. I only possess a damaged and poor quality video of the Thames TV broadcast in 1984 and would give a lot to own a decent copy!