THOMAS: “Hamlet.” Thomas Hampson, June Anderson, Samuel...

THOMAS: “Hamlet.” Thomas Hampson, June Anderson, Samuel Ramey, Denyce Graves, Gregory Kunde, others; London Philharmonic, Antonio de Almeida, conductor. EMI DCDD 7 54820 2. This generally well-sung performance of Thomas’ rarity offers proof that there are often good reasons why some operas have disappeared from sight. At three hours plus, the score’s longueurs can be a trial. Nevertheless the cast is game, especially Hampson’s aristocratic, gorgeously varied, vocally colored prince; his French is elegantly idiomatic. Ophelia is one of Anderson’s finest recorded achievements, her Mad Scene sung with dazzling technique and bravura style. Kunde as Laertes continues to add favorably to his growing reputation, while Graves is almost too beautifully youthful a Gertrude. Ramey, who apparently wants to record everything written for bass, is his usual sonorous self, but not much more. Almeida holds things together reasonably well, but does little in the way of subtlety, finesse or a sense of drama. A “tragic” ending more in line with Shakespeare and written for Covent Garden (the original has Hamlet alive and crowned king) is appended, as well as a duet for Claudius and Gertrude and the excruciatingly dull ballet music.