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LSO/ Pappano: The Dream of Gerontius review – full-throttle rendering of Elgar’s operatic finest

Pappano delivers a dramatic, full-throttle interpretation of The Dream of Gerontius with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican.
David Butt Philip gives a moving Gerontius, oscillating between quiet head voice and heroic climaxes.
Emily D’Angelo’s Angel is deeply moving, though some words in her lines are harder to discern.
William Thomas makes a striking impression as Priest and Angel of the Agony with a luxurious bass.
The London Symphony Orchestra fires on all cylinders, matching Pappano’s mood swings and tempo changes.
The London Symphony Chorus is praised for detailing familiar textures with fresh insight.
The performance faces a minor issue of aural separation due to semichorus placement on the Barbican stage.
Climaxes of the work—Praise to the Holiest and the soul’s vision of the Deity—felt earned through careful pacing.
The review situates Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius as Elgar’s most operatic score.
The reviewer notes a balance of scale and chamber-like textures when Pulled back at moments.

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