CAVENDON HALL

Anna Bentinck's characterizations bring to life the aristocratic Inghams and their fiercely loyal servants, the Swanns. The most beautiful of the four Ingham daughters is soon to be presented at court when tragedy strikes. The evil quickly fades to the background, however, and this romantic fairy-tale romp, lacking venom and a fully developed villain, becomes saccharine and trite. Nonetheless, Bentinck's vocal portraits, particularly those of the Inghams' insipid daughters, draw listeners into Cavendon Hall. This is no "Downton Abbey," in which a clear distinction exists between upstairs and downstairs. The aristocrats of Cavendon depend on their servants to solve their problems and keep their deepest secrets. M.N.T. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2014]