Composers: Elgar
Compositions: Caractacus
Performers: Roland Wood bar, Orchestra of Opera North, Huddersfield Choral Society/Martyn Brabbins
Catalogue Number: Hyperion CDA68254

In this world of Brexit disarray, Elgar’s 1898 setting of a rather jingoistic text about the conquering of the Druid king Caractacus by the Romans takes on an ironic character to say the least. Imperialist sentiments aside, Elgar’s score shows a deepening of the creative vein that would lead to his Enigma Variations, while lacking the mastery of dramatic pace and melodic inspiration of The Dream of Gerontius.