The world of meddling fairies and "amorous discord"--both frolicsome and subversive--conjured by A Midsummer Night's Dream has enchanted the imagination of many a composer, the most famous being Felix Mendelssohn. Selections from his magical evocation of Shakespeare's poetry set the tone for Michael Hoffmann's engaging new film version featuring an all-star cast. The soundtrack also takes its cue from the director's setting of the play in late 19th-century Tuscany to … mehrindulge in some of the great moments of Italian opera. Gloriously spun melodies from Verdi, Donizetti, and Bellini enrich the film's sensual texture of laden banquets and misbegotten erotic dalliances by night in the forest. In his own original score, Simon Boswell (whose other credits range from Cousin Bette to Shallow Grave) interweaves moments of neo-Puccinian poignancy for the deluded mortals with exotic, Near Eastern-tinged strains to depict the lascivious pleasures of the fairy realm. As envisioned by the director, these assume a netherworldish quality more reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm than the Italian landscape. Opera fans will also relish the presence here of two new recordings by Renée Fleming made specifically for the soundtrack, including "Casta diva," which is sung as a counterpoint of languid beauty to Shakespeare's tangled web of illusory passion. --Thomas May weniger

CD 1
01 - Ouvertüre
02 - Brindisi
03 - Che gelida manina
04 - The Course Of True Love… mehr
05 - Between The Cold Moon And The Earth
06 - Hot Ice
07 - The Forgeries Of Jealousy
08 - I Know A Place Where The Wild Thyme Blows
09 - Casta Diva
10 - Intermezzo
11 - What Fools These Mortals Be
12 - Strange Snow
13 - Fair Lovers You Are Fortunately Met
14 - Una furtiva lagrima
15 - Wedding March
16 - A Most Rare Vision
17 - Non piú mesta weniger