David Murphy & London Philharmonic Orchestra - Ravi Shankar: Sukanya (2020) [Official Digital Download 24/48]

The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s premiere performances of Sukanya in 2017 won universal critical acclaim, described by The Telegraph as ‘a charming evening of pure escapism’… Don’t miss this second chance to experience a semi-staged performance of the only opera written by the legendary Ravi Shankar, brought to life through myth, music and dance. After a terrible mistake leaves the ancient sage Chyavana blinded, the beautiful princess Sukanya finds herself marrying for the sake of her kingdom. As a pair of swaggering, meddling gods watch this unlikely union blossom, will love grow in the strangest of circumstances? Taken from the famous Sanskrit texts of the Mahābhārata, the story of Sukanya will be expertly choreographed to combine traditional Indian instruments, Western orchestra, singers and dance ensemble. A one-off chance to recapture the sheer magic of Ravi Shankar, live at Royal Festival Hall.

Tracklist:
01. Sukanya, Act 1: I. Prelude. Aswini Twins Song to Love
02. Sukanya, Act 1: II. Overture
03. Sukanya, Act 1: III. Tarana
04. Sukanya, Act 1: IV. The Forest
05. Sukanya, Act 1: V. Ants!
06. Sukanya, Act 1: VI. Discovery
07. Sukanya, Act 1: VII. Marriage
08. Sukanya, Act 2: VIII. Prelude
09. Sukanya, Act 2: IX. Tilak Kalmod
10. Sukanya, Act 2: X. Yaman Kalyan
11. Sukanya, Act 2: XI. Arrival of the Aswini Twins
12. Sukanya, Act 2: XII. The Test
13. Sukanya, Act 2: XIII. The Lake
14. Sukanya, Act 2: XIV. The Choice
15. Sukanya, Act 2: XV. New Life

Personnel:
Ravi Shankar (Sukanya)

Njabulo Madlala (Aswini Twin)
Michel De Souza, (Aswini Twin)
Susanna Hurrell (Princess Sukanya)
Keel Watson King (Sharyaati)
Eleanor Minney (Sukanya’s Friend)
Alok Kumar (Chyavana)
M Balachandar, mridangam and konnakol
Rajkumar Misra, tabla
Parimal Sadaphal, sitar
Ashwani Shankar, shehnai
Pirashanna Thevarajah, ghatam, morsing and konnakol
BBC Singers
David Murphy, conductor
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Vesselin Gellev, leader