The Romance Of The Rose
New Focus, 2024
10/10
Listen to The Romance Of The Rose
The multi-talented Kate Soper presents the world premiere recording of her The Romance Of The Rose opera, where the Wet Ink Ensemble are in attendance for the two acts that surround how love, sex and music wear away at our sense of self.
“Act I: Prologue Part I” opens the listen with Lucas Steele’s tenor alongside plucked and agile strings in the singing versus dialogue, and it isn’t long until “Act I: The Garden” offers much beauty from the dreamy strings and Devony Smith’s soaring mezzo-soprano.
Deeper still, the warm vibes of “Act I: Reason vs. Love I” uses Soper’s flawless soprano amid the gentle winds, while “Act I: Act I Epilogue” exits the first half and benefits much from Anna Schubert’s soprano and the rich and emotive instrumentation.
“Act II: Round Two” starts the back half and wastes little time drawing us into the storyline via Ty Boque’s baritone, and further still the harmonizing voices of “Act II: Lady Reason’s Collapsing Sestina” blends the gorgeous pipes with radiant percussion and gripping strings. “Act II: Epilogue II” exits, and includes dialogue to tie the story together in thought provoking, heartfelt ways.
An accomplished body of work that carries a dreamy demeanor during the pursuit of love, there’s even some humor involved and the well timed Wet Ink Ensemble’s bouts won’t go unappreciated, either. The release also come with excellent packaging; the 2 discs are housed in a Special Edition Book that only enhances the experience.
Travels well with: Richard Carr- lanterne; Kate Soper- The Hunt