Sleeve Notes: Once upon a time there was a mighty Sultan named Sharyar who had many wives, with all of whom he had apparently become thoroughly disillusioned. Realizing the faithlessness of women in general, he sought a practical solution to … Continued
Sleeve Notes: It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when that delightfully frivolous, melodic genre of operetta first blossomed as an offshoot of the great opera tradition. When, indeed, is an opera not an operetta—or vice versa? If pure entertainment value … Continued
Sleeve Notes: Notes by JOHN MILDER It is no novelty to be told that such and such generally acknowledged musical masterpiece failed miserably to please the audience at its first performance. However, not all these initial failures resulted from the … Continued
Einleitung, Täubchen, Das Entflattert Ist, Ach, Mein Armer Mann, Glücklich Ist, Wer Vergisst/Trinke, Liebchen, Ha, Welch Ein Fest, Oh Je, Wie Rührt Mich Dies/Folgen Sie Mir, Brüderlein Und Schwesterlein, Ein Souper, Uhren-Duett, Eins-zwei-drei, Mein Her Marquis, Ich Lade Gern Mir … Continued
Sleeve Notes: Anneliese Rothenberger, who endeared herself to thousands who watched Eric Robinson’s BBC TV programme “Music for You”, has in a very few years established herself as an international artiste with a wide repertoire ranging from operetta to Richard … Continued
Sleeve Notes: Had Marietta Piccolomini been available to sing the part of Cordelia, it is quite possible that the opera Verdi composed in 1857 for the San Carlo in Naples would have been King Lear. In that case, what eventually … Continued
Sleeve Notes: ANDRE KOSTELANETZ PLAYS THE LIGHT MUSIC OF SHOSTAKOVICHSide 1GALOP from “MOSCOW, CHEREMUSHKI”, Op. 105 POLKA from “BALLET SUITE NO. 2” BARREL-ORGAN WALTZ from “THE GADFLY”, Op. 97a GALOP from “BALLET SUITE NO. 1” NOCTURNE from the film “THE … Continued
Sleeve Notes: In the spring of 1870, when Verdi received through the post from the French librettist Camille Du Locle the synopsis of an opera plot that was to become Aida, he was in his 57th year. The days when … Continued
Sleeve Notes: FIRST MOVEMENT: Allegro SECOND MOVEMENT: Adagio Un Poco Mosso THIRD MOVEMENT: Rondo; Allegro Beethoven’s Piano Concerto in E Flat belongs to the greatest masterpieces of classical music. It was the last of Beethoven’s Piano Concertos and was composed … Continued
Sleeve Notes: Operatic history has produced many coloratura sopranos, but very few coloratura mezzo-sopranos. Rossini’s wife, the Spanish Isabella Colbran, was one such singer; and for her remarkable mezzo-soprano voice, with a contralto downward range that at the same time … Continued