-
Dido and Aeneas – Full Opera by Henry Purcell
UUCB Choir, staff, and guest musicians perform Henry Purcell’s opera Dido and Aeneas. The opera tells the story of Dido, Queen of Carthage, and the hero Aeneas, whose fates become…
-
Antonio Vivaldi
…flowing creeks to wintry landscapes and vibrant festivities. Operatic Ventures and Royal Patronage In addition to his instrumental compositions, Vivaldi also delved into the realm of opera. His first opera,…
-
Claudio Monteverdi
…their emotional depth and rich musical textures. Groundbreaking Opera In 1607, Monteverdi composed his opera, “L’Orfeo.” This opera is often regarded as the first great opera in the history of…
-
Richard Strauss
…Zarathustra (1896): Inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophical treatise, this work became one of Strauss’s most iconic pieces. Operatic Success In the early 20th century, Strauss turned his attention to opera,…
-
Georg Philipp Telemann
…keyboard instruments. Navigating challenges and opposition, Telemann demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination. He composed his first opera, “Sigismundus,” at the age of 12. After studying in Magdeburg, Zellerfeld, and Hildesheim,…
-
Benjamin Britten
…Peter Grimes (1945). The opera’s success marked Britten as a leading figure in English opera and showcased his ability to merge vivid drama with psychological depth. A Pacifist’s Vision Britten,…
-
Sergei Prokofiev
…and Opera Contributions Prokofiev had a deep-seated passion for ballet and opera. He composed several operas, including “The Gambler” and “The Fiery Angel.” However, his most successful opera was “The…
-
Louis Moreau Gottschalk
…need for classical training to fulfill his musical ambitions. Their destination was Paris, the heart of the European music scene. However, the Paris Conservatoire rejected Gottschalk’s application without an audition,…
-
Child Prodigies – Exploring the Music of Great Young Classical Composers
…performance at the Paris Conservatory. His formal composition lessons began under Fromental Halévy, who also taught Bizet and Gounod. His First Symphony was written at the age of 16, and…
-
Haydn Cello Concerto in D Major, 1st Movement – Played by Pierre Fournier
Pierre Fournier (1906-1986) was a renowned cellist known for his lyrical playing and artistic sensitivity. Born in Paris, he began learning piano from his mother but switched to the cello…
-
Largo from Vivaldi Cello Concerto in E Minor, Played by Pierre Fournier
Pierre Fournier, known as “the aristocrat of cellists,” was born in Paris in 1906. He turned to the cello after suffering a mild case of polio at nine years old,…
-
Vivaldi Cello Concerto in E Minor, 2nd Movement – Allegro – Played by Pierre Fournier
Pierre Fournier, born in Paris on June 24, 1906, was known as “the aristocrat of cellists” for his lyrical playing and artistic sensitivity. Despite facing challenges due to polio as…
