Rossini - Tancredi: Opera Explained - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Album Tracks 1. Youth Found in the Night 2. Golden 3. Walls 4. Powerline

This series introduces, in words and music, the plot and background of major operas. Using the principal themes and arias, taken from the Naxos recording of the complete work, Thomson Smillie is informative yet entertaining, enabling the listener to get more from this remarkable art form.Massenet's Werther combines a deeply tender story with music of beauty and eloquence. One act alone contains two of the greatest arias in the repertoire the mezzo-soprano aria 'Va! Laisse couler mes larmes' and the tenor's 'Pourquoi me rèveiller'. In their sentimental power and melodic richness these arias encapsulate the qualities that account for the universal popularity of this great work. Album Tracks 1. Introduction 2. Ballet in French Opera 3. French Opera in the 1800S 4. Other French Opera Composers 5. Goethe and the Plot of Werther 6. Prelude and Opening of Act I 7. Charlotte Enters 8. Charlotte and Werther Return from the Ball 9. Act II, Three Months Later 10. Albert Confronts Werther 11. Charlotte Discourages Werther 12. Act III; Prelude and 'Letter Scene' 13. Sophie Comes to Cheer Up Charlotte 14. Charlotte and Werther 15. Act IV, Werther's Apartment 16. Tout Est Fini

Album Tracks 1. Introduction 2. The Casting of Orpheus - Castrati 3. References to Castrati; the Different Versions of Orfeo Ed Euridice 4. Gluck 5. The Overture 6. Act I, Scene 1 7. Orfeo 'Chiamo Il Mio Ben Cosi' 8. Amor Enters 9. Act II The Gates of Hell 10. Orpheus Plays His Harp to the Furies 11. Act II, Scene 2 The Dance of the Blessed Spirits 12. The Chorus Presents Euridice 13. Act III Orfeo and Euridice Return from the Underworld 14. Duet for Orfeo and Euridice 15. Orfeo 'Che Faro Senza Euridice?' 16. The Happy Ending