Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Paragon Ragtime Orchestra's CD of 'Treemonisha' is BBC Music Magazine's 'Opera Recording of the Month'


[ABOVE: Anita Johnson, Soprano BELOW: Scott Joplin Treemonisha; The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and Singers; Rick Benjamin, conductor; New World Records 80720 (2011)]

Scott Joplin (c.1867-1917) is featured at AfriClassical.com. The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra writes: “BBC MUSIC, the world's largest classical music magazine, has just declared PRO's Treemonisha album the 'Opera Recording of the Month'" 

In the March 2012 issue of BBC Music Magazine, Geoff Brown reviews Scott Joplin Treemonisha, performed by The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra and Singers on New World Records 80720 (2011).  We present a brief excerpt:

"BBC Music Magazine
OPERA

March Choice
An all-too-rare, and superbly presented, recording of Scott Joplin’s only opera.
An Entertainer from Joplin

Geoff Brown hails an anniversary revival of Scott Joplin's Treemonisha
Rags' Riches: Anita Johnson sings folk opera

“Benjamin's recording – the first to emerge since Gunther Schuller's Houston Grand Opera version in the mid 1970s – is perfectly balanced to get the best out of the score.”

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