Sonnets

The complete sonnets performed by the quintessential Shakespearian actor, Sir John Gielgud.

Definitive

Gielgud worthily represents the great tradition of English verse speaking. The sound quality of these recordings is slightly dated, but this is not a critical flaw. Gielgud is never less than musical and cogent, and he is often magnificent. An important document of 20th century British Shakespearean performance..

Hambone

Gielgud hams it too much, reading as if he were on stage, trying to emote. More concerned with his interpretation than he is with the meter, he may be a good actor but he doesn't understand the music of verse.