Sunday, July 31, 2011

Classical works

I listed some classical works I like.

Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro - by Puccini
La bohème: Che gelida man - by Puccini
La traviata: Sempre libera - by Verdi
L'elisir d'amore: Una furtiva lagrima - by Donizetti
Searse: Ombra mai fu - by Handel

Handel: Partenope

Handel: Partenope

Partenope was first performed in 1730. The queen Partenope has three men who want to win her over. Who will take her hand in the end? Partenope has a great orchestra. Arsace, played by Andreas Scholl, and Partenope, played by Inger Dam-Jensen stands out. The entire cast is perfect in this very fun to watch opera. This opera was performed at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2008.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore

Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore

L'elisir d'amore was first performed in 1832. This opera by Donizetti is very popular today. L'elisir d'amore is very funny at times, especially the scenes with the Doctor trying to sell his fake love potion to Nemorino. Rolando Villazón and Anna Netrebko both have great singing and the orchestra plays very well throughout. L'elisir d'amore has the popular aria "Una furtiva lagrima", sung by Rolando Villazón and is encored. This opera was performed in 2005 at the Vienna State Opera in Vienna, Austria.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Lully: Persée

Lully: Persée

One of the best French Baroque operas by Lully,  Persée was first performed in 1682. Lully has many operas from this era. Persée has great settings, costumes and music. A few dance scenes are also here. The cast is wonderful, along with the orchestra. This opera was performed in 2004 at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto, Canada.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Handel: Alcina

Handel: Alcina

The Baroque opera Alcina was first performed in 1735. Handel has many operas that I like. This opera has good baroque music by Handel and good performances by everyone, especially Catherine Naglestad, who plays the sorceress Alcina. I also liked the set design and interesting plot. This opera was performed in 1999 at the Stuttgart Municipal Opera House in Stuttgart, Germany.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

London Symphony Orchestra - Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8

Shostakovich: Symphony No. 8

This Shostakovich symphony in C minor is from 1943. The Eighth is very strong and somber. A strong performance by André Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra make this one of my favorite 20th century symphonies.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Suites

I listed some suites I like.

Ancient Airs and Dances - by Respighi
Annees de pelerinage - by Liszt
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story - by Bernstein

London Symphony Orchestra - Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos/The Piano Sonata

Liszt: The Two Piano Concertos/The Piano Sonata

The Liszt piano concertos and piano sonata are from the mid 1800s. They are some of the best classical piano music. This album has Sviatoslav Richter; a great 20th century pianist, playing piano with Kyril Kondrashin and the London Symphony Orchestra. A must own album for Liszt fans.

Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra

Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegel; Don Juan; Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils

The symphonic poem Also sprach Zarathustra by Strauss, is from 1896. It is widely known, especially the opening. This is a great performance with Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Also here is Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Don Juan, and Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils from from his 1905 opera Salome.