Standard Version with sung recitatives-Although almost unanimously condemned by ...(+)
Standard Version with sung recitatives-Although almost unanimously condemned by contemporary Parisian critics for its overt sexuality and graphic final scene Carmen ultimately reached the public in a way that perhaps no other opera has. Bizet's aim (with Meilhac andHalevy who wrote the libretto) had been to transform the flaccid moralistic bourgeois genre of opéra comique into a more sophisticated type of staged work and he seems to have suceeded in Carmen. Each character has a musicalsignificance and a unique expressive idiom the ultimate example being the dangerous exotic sensual Carmen herself depicted by an exotic and sinewy chromatic motive that also implies the insurmountable power of fate. In aclassic plot device she is contrasted with the 'good girl' of the opera Micaela whose main aria is set in the ternary form of the elevated bel canto French Grand Opera aria to imply her traditionally 'ladylike' retiring nature.Don José's musical styles reflect different levels in his descent from dutiful soldier to the underworld of obsession.This is the Schirmer edition of the Libretto in the original French with an English translation by Ruthand Thomas Martin.
Confiance dans le monde entier, les faisant autorité, G. Schirmer éditions cla...(+)
Confiance dans le monde entier, les faisant autorité, G. Schirmer éditions classiques de la scène oeuvres de Gilbert and Sullivan ont été retapé! Ces nouvelles partitions vocales sont dotées de la musique complète et tout dialogue, couvertures de couleurs magnifiques, des résumés de l'intrigue, des articles sur le fameux partenariat, l'histoire de chaque opérette, filmographies et discographies. La reliure cousue assure une durée de vie d'utilisation.Le plus grand succès de la carrière de Gilbert and Sullivan, ce conte plein d'esprit de la loi emmêlés et l'amour est un commentaire à peine voilée sur l'Angleterre victorienne. / Chant/Vocal/Choeur
For this opera in two acts, composer and librettist Mark Adamo revisits Louisa M...(+)
For this opera in two acts, composer and librettist Mark Adamo revisits Louisa May Alcott's classic chronicle of growing up female in post-Civil War New England, focusing on the theme that even sincerest love and strongest will cannot stave off change and loss. / Opéra
The final episode of the Ring cycle 'Gotterdammerung' is itself a colossal work...(+)
The final episode of the Ring cycle 'Gotterdammerung' is itself a colossal work - one of the longest evenings of opera in the standard repertory. Musically Wagner has gained such mastery of his music drama and his use of musicalmotives that he treats both with superb freedom - the handling of Leitmotives in this opera can be thought of as one of the most powerful psychological achievements in art. This is the Schirmer edition of the Libretto in theoriginal German with an English translation by Stewart Robb.
Cavalleria rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) is one of the primary examples of Italian...(+)
Cavalleria rusticana (Rustic Chivalry) is one of the primary examples of Italian realism. It was both the best and worst thing that happened to Mascagni for its success - never to be repeated - weighed upon the composer all hislife. Based on Vergaâ??s play of the same name the libretto by Targioni-Tozzetti runs as follows: Lola and Turiddu had been lovers but when Turiddu went away to battle Lola married Alfio. When Turiddu returned he and Lolacontinued their affair secretly while he tried to make Lola jealous by starting a casual affair with Santuzza who fell genuinely in love with him. On Easter Sunday Santuzza realising the affair goes to see Turiddu'smother Lucia who keeps a tavern in the village. She is horrified to learn of her sonâ??s infidelity and leaves for the church just missing Turiddu who saunters in thinking of his night with Lola. He is surprised and annoyed tofind Santuzza there and the two begin to quarrel. Lola makes things worse by appearing and taunting Santuzza. Turiddu finally hits Santuzza and escapes.Santuzza tells Alfio of the illicit affair whereupon Alfio flies intoa rage and swears that he will avenge himself the code of honour requires Turiddu's blood to be shed. According to tradition he refuses a glass of wine from Turiddu indicating the dispute and the two make plans to fight.Rushing into the tavern Turiddu bids his mother her to take care of Santuzza. Mamma Lucia is alarmed and as he rushes off Santuzza enters and throws her arms around Lucia's neck just as a woman screams that Turiddu has beenkilled.This is the Schirmer edition of the Libretto in the original Italian with an English translation by Joseph Machlis.
Premiered in Vienna in February 1892 under the direction of Hans Richter Mass...(+)
Premiered in Vienna in February 1892 under the direction of Hans Richter Massenet's Werther has proven an enduring work one of the composer's most tightly constructed and dramatically urgent. The libretto was fashioned bywriters Georges Hartmann Edouard Blau and Paul Millet after Goethe's 'Sorrows of Young Werther'. Charlotte the eldest daughter of a baliff is engaged to Albert. In his absence she is escorted to the local ball by ayoung visiting poet Werther. Albert returns unexpectedly disappointed at not finding Charlotte he promises her sister he will return in the morning. At the ball Werther falls in love with Charlotte but realises that Alberthas returned and urges Charlotte not to break her promise to marry Albert. Three months later Charlotte and Albert now married walk across the town square on their way to church followed by Werther who is stilldistraught. Albert realizes that Werther must be in love with his wife and Charlotte tells him he must leave town until Christmas. Werther rushes away contemplating suicide.Alone at home on Christmas Eve as Charlotterereads the dejected love letters written to her by Werther he appears and reads to her a passage from a poem where the poet foresees his own death. Charlotte begs him to stop and he realises she loves him too. But she runs fromhis embrace and Werther leaves resolved to die. Albert enters and a message arrives from Werther asking to borrow Albert's pistol. Her reaction convinces him of her love for Werther. The pistols are dispensed and when Albert hasgone she hurries off arriving at his quarters to find him dying. She declares her love and he begs forgiveness and dies.This is the Schirmer edition of the Libretto in French and English.
Italian/English-Mozart's 'The Marriage Of Figaro' was based on Beaumarchais' pol...(+)
Italian/English-Mozart's 'The Marriage Of Figaro' was based on Beaumarchais' politically radical play - the second of the trilogy which begun with 'The Barber Of Seville' - later of course adapted into an opera by Rossini. As in 'Il Barbiere diSiviglia' 'The Marriage of Figaro' depicted the aristocracy as buffoons controlled and outwitted by their cunning servants. This time Figaro and Susanna are due to wed but must first outwit the Count who is determined toexercise a master's ancient right to deflower the bride of his servant. This is the Schirmer edition of the libretto in the original Italian with an English translation by Ruth and Thomas Martin.
Opera Full Score-The first opera written for television 'Amahl and the Night Vi...(+)
Opera Full Score-The first opera written for television 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' has become the most frequently performed opera of all time with over five hundred performances annually across the world. Menotti's take on theChristmas story focuses on Amahl a young handicapped boy and his mother who are visited by three Kings -- Balthazar Melchior and Kaspar -- who are on their way to find Jesus. The Kings stay the night during which Amahl'smother tries to steal some of the Kings' gold and is caught in the act. Melchior suggests that she keep the gold because the child they are visiting will rule his kingdom with love not riches. Amahl's mother gives back the gold wishing she had something to give of her own. Amahl offers his crutch as a gift and suddenly is able to walk. He decides to follow the Kings so that he himself may give his crutch to the Christ child.The work is ideal foran amateur performance (for example a secondary school or a local dramatic society) since all the action takes place in one act and one place and the work calls for limited adaptable musical forces. It also gives each principala chance to shine either in a solo or an ensemble.This is the Schirmer hardback edition of the full score.
The libretto for Giuseppe Verdi's 'Rigoletto' was adapted by Francesco Maria Pia...(+)
The libretto for Giuseppe Verdi's 'Rigoletto' was adapted by Francesco Maria Piave from Victor Hugo's play Le roi s'amuse which was so controversial it had been banned in Paris after one performance. Le roi here isthe Duke a renowned womaniser who seduces ladies as their husbands are taunted by his hunchback jester Rigoletto. An elderly nobleman Monterone curses them both for seducing his daughter and Ceprano whose wife has been withthe Duke plots with the courtiers to punish him.Rigoletto is suspected of keeping a mistress so while Rigoletto is out the Duke slips into his house and finding Rigolettoâ??s daughter Gilda he proffers his love to herand she is smitten. After he leaves the courtiers break in and carry off Gilda to the Dukeâ??s bedchamber. Soon Rigoletto enters and realises the mistake just in time as the dishevelled Gilda runs in. As Monterone is led to thedungeon Rigoletto vows to avenge them both. Rigoletto pays the assassin Sparafucile to murder the Duke as his sister Maddalena flirts with him. However Maddalena persuades her brother to kill not the Duke but the nextvisitor to the inn instead so overhearing and resolving to sacrifice herself for the Duke Gilda enters the inn and is stabbed. Rigoletto finds Gilda dying and begging forgiveness: Monterone's curse is fulfilled.This isthe Schirmer edition of the Libretto in the original Italian with an English version by Ruth and Thomas Martin.
Of the four episodes of the 'Ring Cycle' 'Die Walkure' is most often performed ...(+)
Of the four episodes of the 'Ring Cycle' 'Die Walkure' is most often performed separately and may be Wagner's best-loved work. The source of this affection is certainly the sensitive depictions of Siegmund and Sieglinde's loveand the father-daughter relationship of Wotan and Brünnhilde.Siegmund stumbles into an unfamiliar house Sieglinde's for shelter and the two fall for each other quickly. However Sieglinde's husband (from a forcedmarriage) Hunding is a kinsman of Siegmund's foes and challenges Siegmund to a duel. Sieglinde gives Hunding a sleeping potion and the two realise they are brother and sister. Siegmund claims Sieglinde as his bride. Watching Wotan and Fricka tell Brünnhilde that she must defend Hunding's marriage rights. Brünnhilde sets out to observe the lovers. When Sieglinde falls asleep Brünnhilde berates Siegmund but when he argues she decides to help him.Hunding and Siegmund battle when Siegmund is about to win however Wotan appears and shatters his sword; he is killed. Brünnhilde escapes with Sieglinde and the broken sword. Wotan fells Hunding with a wave of his handand leaves to punish Brünnhilde. Sieglinde realises she bears Siegmund's child so takes the pieces of the sword and rushes off into the forest to hide. Brünnhilde herself flees to the Valkyries' Rock to hide but Wotan fins herand sentences her to become a mortal woman: she must lie in sleep to be claimed by any man who finds her but behind a wall of fire that only the bravest hero can pierce. This is the Schirmer edition of the Libretto inthe original German with an nglish translation by Stewart Robb.
Description Christoph Willibald Gluck: Orpheus And Euridice (Vocal Score) Glu...(+)
Description Christoph Willibald Gluck: Orpheus And Euridice (Vocal Score) Gluck's 'Orfeo et Euridice' is a noble and grand opera based on the Greek myth. This is the Schirmer edition of the Vocal Score, with English words by Walter Ducloux. Songlist Orphee Et Euridice Orpheus And Euridice
Description Jules Massenet: Manon (Vocal Score) Massenet's 'Manon', based on ...(+)
Description Jules Massenet: Manon (Vocal Score) Massenet's 'Manon', based on the libretto by Meilhac and Gille offers noisy crowd scenes, passionate duets, and tense melodramas, and was an instant popular success. This is the Schirmer edition of the Vocal Score. Songlist Manon
Description W.A. Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte (Vocal Score) Cosi Fan Tutte' (Thus d...(+)
Description W.A. Mozart: Cosi Fan Tutte (Vocal Score) Cosi Fan Tutte' (Thus do all Women) emerged from obscurity in the twentieth century to become regarded as one of Mozart's finest works. This is the Schirmer edition of the Vocal Score, with an English version by Ruth and Songlist Cosi Fan Tutte
The first performance of Messiah took place at the New Music Hall in Dublin on A...(+)
The first performance of Messiah took place at the New Music Hall in Dublin on April 13 1742. It was received with huge acclaim the Dublin Journal proclaiming that 'Messiah was allowed by the greatest Judges to be thefinest Composition of Musick that ever was heard'. By the time of the composer's death in 1758 Messiah had already attained an iconic status it has never relinquished.
Gaetono Donizetti's 'The Elixir Of Love' (L'Elisir D'Amore) remains an important...(+)
Gaetono Donizetti's 'The Elixir Of Love' (L'Elisir D'Amore) remains an important work in the repertory of major opera houses of the twenty-first century. It is a good-natured story in which the peasant Nemorino attempts to winthe heart of his love Adina through the ingestion of a farcical magic elixir (which is in fact merely Bordeaux!). Nemorino's aria 'Una furtiva lagrima ' is the most famous excerpt from the opera.
Menotti's 'The Medium' is something of a cautionary tale which had its genesis ...(+)
Menotti's 'The Medium' is something of a cautionary tale which had its genesis in a séance attended by the composer himself. The plot of the libretto (by Menotti himself) runs as follows: Living in conditions of near-squalor Baba poses as a medium with her daughter Monica posing as ghosts from the beyond. She takes in Toby a mute as a lodger but distrusts him. The business continues until during a séance she feels a 'cold hand' tightening abouther throat. When her customers return for another session she tells them that she is a fake and demonstrates her tricks but her clients protest that she must be real that it was not Monica's voice they heard. She drives themout and resolves to cast out Toby as well. When Toby returns she shoots and inadvertently kills him. At the conclusion she still wonders if it had been Toby. This Libretto is in English only.