THE GREAT POETS: JOHN KEATS

The elegant cadences of Keats's poems are artistically performed by a quartet of actors. Samuel West leads the production, reading the first eight poems. Michael Sheen, who performs the famous "La Belle Dame Sans Merci," has a quiet but rich voice. Simon Russell Beale performs only one piece, "There Was a Naughty Boy," giving it a brisk and vibrant reading. The long romantic narrative "Eve of St. Agnes" is performed by West and Sarah Woodward, each doing justice to the passionate lovers Porphyro and Madeline. All the performers have well trained, pleasing voices and give superb interpretations of these famous poetic lines. The notes include a brief but useful biography of Keats. R.F. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2008]