January 2022 will see the release of a mini-album (31 minutes duration, longer than an ‘EP’) on the mid-priced Diversions label, containing five arias from operas by British composer James Cook.

The album showcases items from the operas Jane the Quene (2014) and Abishag (2019). The former relates the tale of Lady Jane Grey, the tragic ‘nine days Queen’ who so briefly ascended to the throne (but was never formally crowned) in July 1553. Abishag dramatizes a story found in the First Book of Kings.

Both operas have a young female character at their centre, sung by soprano Joanna Songi. Tenor Roberto Abate sings three roles: Queen Jane’s husband, Lord Guilford Dudley, and Abishag’s lustful suitor (Adonijah), and her true love, Solomon.

The role of the dying King David in ‘Abishag’ is sung by baritone Adam Green in David’s Liebestod, the title of the aria (and the album) an indirect tribute to the work of Wagner in Tristan und Isolde.

The piano accompaniment is played by Paul McKenzie.

James Cook (b.1963) briefly studied composition at Oxford University during the Hilary Term of 1994. Prior to that he composed works which include ‘A Carrollean Symphony’, ‘Symphony in Yellow’ and the ‘Jude the Obscure Symphony’. After his stint at Oxford, he wrote sacred vocal music, much of which has been released on the Divine Art and Diversions labels. From the year 2000, he turned to writing organ music and in 2006 completed a sequence of nine organ symphonies, four of which have also been released by Divine Art.

Since 2010 he has concentrated on composing opera, four of which make up a cycle of Biblical operas. His first opera, Dorothy was performed by Secret Opera at Theatre N16 in London in December 2015.

“David’s Liebestod” — operatic extracts by James Cook (DDV 24170)

Artists

• Joanna Songi (soprano)
• Roberto Abate (tenor)
• Adam Green (baritone)
• Paul McKenzie (piano)

Tracks

• Abishag: Opening Scene
• Abishag: Closing Scene
• Abishag: David’s  Liebestod
• Jane the Quene: Gentle My Aylmer
• Jane the Quene: Love’s Farewell

Duration: 31.50

To be released in CD and digital formats on January 14, 2022

Recorded in London in January 2020

James Cook Discography