Joseph Summer

Hamlet

Navona, 2022

8/10

Listen to Hamlet

The composer Joseph Summer brings us the lyrics of Shakespeare to a contemporary musical arrangement, where Bulgaria’s Ruse Symphony Orchestra, choir, and selected Bulgarian soloists are in attendance for the 3 disc effort.

“Prelude” opens the listen with sophisticated yet daring instrumentation that leads into the soaring soprano of “Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death”, where The Choir of The State Opera-Ruse contribute much grace.

Further along, “By heaven, it is as proper to our age” pairs Kevin Thompson’s strong pipes with triumphant musicianship that’s also a bit cautious, while “Welcome dear Rosencrantz and Guildenstern” brings many voices to the tense and densely layered climate.

Act 2 showcases Michelle Trainor’s skilled singing across the vivid storytelling of “With all my heart”, and “To be or not to be” highlights Omar Najmi as Hamlet amid the stirring strings and bellowing brass.

The final disc, Act 3, continues the dynamic landscape, and includes the strategic voices of Brianna Robinson and Neal Ferreira that populate “This nothing’s more than matter”, and “Follow My Mother” benefits much from Katherine Pracht as Horatio for the very absorbing late offering.

Even though we’re all familiar with Hamlet, we’ve never heard it presented quite like this, and the 9 international soloists singing the lead roles adds even more appeal to the classic that’s also very contemporary.

Travels well with: Jan Järvlepp- Three Stories By Hans Christian Andersen; Jeffrey Derus- From Wilderness