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Grom the mid-seventeenth century onwards, the overture became an orchestral piece intended to precede a large-scale dramatic work. This recording brings together twelve overtures from Mozart's operas. They foreshadow the action, sometimes stylistically, sometimes by quoting themes that will appear later, to create a dramatic impression before we even see anything on stage - think of the memorable overtures to Don Giovanni and Die Zauberflöte. The twelve overtures brought together here cover 21 years of Mozart's career from Mithridate, composed when he was just 14, which testifies to the young composer's familiarity with the galant style then in vogue, to La Clemenza di Tito (1791), the high point of his work in the opera seria genre that was to disappear with him, not forgetting masterpieces such as Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Le nozze di Figaro and Così fan tutte. The Kölner Akademie, playing on period instruments, and it's conductor Michael Alexander Willens demonstrate Mozart's unrivalled ability to capture the audience's attention with these brilliant overtures, some of which are among his most famous works, both on stage and in concert. Details 1. Ascanio in Alba, K. 111 Overture [03 15] 2. Idomeneo, Re Di Creta, K. 366 Overture [04 43] 3. Le Nozze Di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), K. 492 Overture [04 25] 4. Die Entführung Aus Dem Serail (Abduction from the Seraglio), K. 384 Overture [05 27] 5. Così Fan Tutte, K. 588 Overture [04 18] 6. Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario), K. 486 Overture [04 21] 7. Mitridate, Re Di Ponto, K. 87 Overture [05 15] 8. La Finta Giardiniera, K. 196 Overture [04 32] 9. Dongiovanni, K. 527 Overture [05 57] 10. Lucio Silla, K. 135 Overture [07 10] 11. La Clemenza Di Tito, K. 621 Overture [04 33] 12. Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), K. 620 Overture [06 49
