Track | Act / Scene | Length |
01 | 01 - King Lear - Dramatis Persone | 1:46 |
02 | 02 - King Lear - Act I scene i | 19:51 |
03 | 03 - King Lear - Act I scene ii | 11:46 |
04 | 04 - King Lear - Act I scene iii | 1:49 |
05 | 05 - King Lear - Act I scene iv | 18:17 |
06 | 06 - King Lear - Act I scene v | 2:29 |
07 | 07 - King Lear - Act II scene i | 7:55 |
08 | 08 - King Lear - Act II scene ii | 9:46 |
09 | 09 - King Lear - Act II scene iii | 1:33 |
10 | 10 - King Lear - Act II scene iv | 18:38 |
11 | 11 - King Lear - Act III scene i | 3:20 |
12 | 12 - King Lear - Act III scene ii | 6:00 |
13 | 13 - King Lear - Act III scene iii | 2:17 |
14 | 14 - King Lear - Act III scene iv | 11:41 |
15 | 15 - King Lear - Act III scene v | 1:47 |
16 | 16 - King Lear - Act III scene vi | 6:55 |
17 | 17 - King Lear - Act III scene vii | 8:51 |
18 | 18 - King Lear - Act IV scene i | 5:40 |
19 | 19 - King Lear - Act IV scene ii | 6:10 |
20 | 20 - King Lear - Act IV scene iii | 3:24 |
21 | 21 - King Lear - Act IV scene iv | 2:05 |
22 | 22 - King Lear - Act IV scene v | 2:23 |
23 | 23 - King Lear - Act IV scene vi | 19:11 |
24 | 24 - King Lear - Act IV scene vii | 6:48 |
25 | 25 - King Lear - Act V scene i | 4:44 |
26 | 26 - King Lear - Act V scene ii | 1:26 |
27 | 27 - King Lear - Act V scene iii | 21:42 |
Cast |
King Lear: Bob Gonzalez |
Edmund/King of France/Second Servant: Elizabeth Klett |
Duke of Burgundy/Messenger: VikingJames |
Duke of Cornwall: David Goldfarb |
Duke of Albany: Noel Badrian |
Earl of Kent: Arielle Lipshaw |
Earl of Gloucester: Martin Geeson |
Edgar: DublinGothic |
Curan/Third Servant/Captain: Nathaniel W.C. Higgins |
Knight/Old Man/Physician: Algy Pug |
Fool/Herald: Amy L. Gramour |
Oswald: Kristingj |
First Servant/Officer: Tiffany Halla Colonna |
Gentleman: Dan Raynham |
Goneril: Bev J. Stevens |
Regan: Liberty Stump |
Cordelia: Miss Avarice |
Narrator: Denny Sayers |
Audio edited by Elizabeth Klett |
Notes
Running time: 3 hours and 28 minutes
Read by: Cast
Book Coordinator: Algy Pug
Meta Coordinator: Elizabeth Klett
Proof Listener: Betty M.
Artwork
Cover: ‘The King and the Beggar’, King Lear, Act IV, scene vi, 1865, by Peter F. Rothermel. Dayton Art Institute.
Inset: Ludwig Devrient as King Lear, probably made for Jean-François Ducis' production in 1769. Author unknown.
Inset: 'Chandos portrait’ of William Shakespeare thought to be by John Taylor. National Portrait Gallery.
Insert: King Lear and the Fool in the Storm, c. 1851 by William Dyce (1806- 1864) Scottish National Gallery.
Recordings
These recordings were made using the author’s original published work, which is in the public domain. The readings were recorded by members and volunteers of Librivox.org, which has generously made the recordings available to the public domain. The audio files have been edited and engineered using professional audio tools for maximum sonic quality. While Librivox condones the sale and distribution of these recordings, it is not associated with the management or operations of MP3 Audiobook Classics.
The Tragedy of King Lear depicts the descent of the title character into madness after retiring from power and disposing of his kingdom. Father to three daughters, he promises the larger share to the one who loves him most. Two of his daughters, Goneril and Regan, flatter him with superficial affection and respect and are awarded accordingly. Cordelia, his favorite, tells him there is nothing to which her love can be compared, that there are no words to express it. Lear misunderstands and, infuriated, disinherits her, the first of numerous blunders which lead to tragic endings. Lear travels to Goneril’s realm to reside with a retinue of 100 knights where they are treated shabbily. When Goneril diminishes his retinue, Lear leaves in a huff for Regan’s, where he is similarly treated, whereupon Lear succumbs to his rage and rushes out to rant on the heath in a storm. In the meantime, Edmund, illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester, plots to dispose first of his older brother and conspires with first Regan, then Goneril, to eliminate all claimants to the throne in one way or another. No one survives.
Based on the legend of Leir of Britain, a mythological Celtic king from pre-Roman times, the play is considered one of Shakespeare’s finest works. Scholars believe Lear was first written in 1603 and first performed in 1606. The role of Lear is one of the most challenging and has been played by the many of the world’s most accomplished actors. Playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote, “No man will ever write a better tragedy than Lear”.
Play sample:
Download a PDF datasheet
Item Info | |
EAN - DVD case | 0683422134456 |
EAN - CD jacket | 0687700169918 |
Media | MP3 CD |
Package | DVD case, CD jacket, CD security sleeve, download zip file |
Author | William Shakespeare (1564-1616) |
Year | Written 1603 Performed 1606 |
Recording | |
Read by | Cast |
Length | 3 hours and 28 minutes |
Type of Reading | Dramatic |
The Tragedy of King Lear
- Author: William Shakespeare
- Product Code: DB-1124
- Availability: In Stock
-
$9.99
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