PETER BENOIT (1834-1901): De Schelde for Soloists, Chorus and Orchestra.

Description: This "romantic-historic" oratorio dates from 1868 and its subject is the river Scheldt which enters the North Sea via Antwerp and was always an emblem of Flemish nationality (so you might say that this is Benoit's Ma Vlast with voices). Its 90-minute length breaks down into three parts: a nature scene at twilight with a pair of young lovers on the riverbank, a pastoral and amorous setting; the second part evokes the ghosts of Flemish history which builds to an operatic pandemonium as various historical figures from various epics mix together in what becomes a nightmarish experience for the sleeping girl-lover; and the final section begins with daybreak, the lovers' awakening, the rush of commercial traffic on the river and the promise of a happy and prosperous Flemish future. 2 CDs for the price of 1. Flemish-English texts. Cathy van Roy (soprano), Gijs van der Linden, Willem van der Heyden (tenors), Werner van Mechelen, Kris Belligh (baritones), Flemish Radio Choir, Netherlands Radio Choir, Royal Flemish Philharmonic; Martyn Brabbins.