An all-Danish cast brings native authority to this ‘superbly conducted’ (Gramophone) account of Nielsen’s first opera in a broadcast recording from 1960. The substantial bonus is new to the Thomas Jensen discography: a first-ever release for Spoon River Anthology, Helge Bonnén’s Danish settings of American poetry that reflects on the vicissitudes of life and death in a poor and rural community.

Cast (Saul & David):
- Saul, King of Israel: Frans Andersson (bass)
- Jonathan, his son: Niels Møller (tenor)
- Mikal, his daughter: Ruth Guldbæk (soprano)
- David, friend of Jonathan: Otte Svendsen (tenor)
- Samuel, prophet: Odd Wolstad (bass)
- Abner, Saul’s captain: Mogens Wedel (bass)
- Abisai, David’s companion: Christen Blanke (tenor)
- Witch of Endor: Inge Frey (mezzo-soprano)
- A young girl: Christine Philipsen (soprano)