Search Results: Titles starting with A from Serenissima Music, Inc.

Verdi received a request in November of 1869 from the Viceroy of Egypt to compose a commemorative hymn for the opening of the Suez Canal. Verdi refused the request on the grounds that he was not accustomed to writing such ceremonial music. The Viceroy then perusaded French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette, who wrote a scenario set in ancient Egypt drawn partially from Metastasio's 1756 libretto for "Nitteti", to visit Paris in order to introduce him to the theatre producer Camille Du Locle, with the goal of mounting a new opera based upon Mariette's scenario with music from either Verdi, Gounod or Wagner. Although considering a new opera, Verdi had no intention of taking on the Egyptian scenario but changed his mind when Du Locle himself showed him the outline.
With an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, the new opera was first performed at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo on December 24, 1871 to an audience consisting of only politicians, dignitaries and critics. Verdi did not attend the premiere… Read More

Rachmaninov's first one-act opera was written in 1893 while still a student at the Moscow Conservatory. The opera, with a libretto by Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko after a play by Alexander Pushkin, was given its premiere in May 1893 at Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre. Rachmaninov's characteristic writing is already apparent, complete with the colorful orchestration that was a hallmark of his compositional style. This score is a digitally enhanced reprint of the one first issued by Muzgiz (the USSR State Publisher) in the 1950s.
Introduction
Gypsy Chorus
Old Gypsy's Story
Scene and Chorus
Women's Dance
Men's Dance
Chorus
Duettino
Scene by the Cradle
Aleko's Cavatina
Intermezzo
The Young Gypsy's Romance
Duet and Finale

1. Preludio


Prologue


2. Introduzione. Urli, rapine, gemiti, sangue
3. Scena e Cavatina di Odabella
4. Duetto di Attila ed Ezio
5. Scena e Cavatina di Foresto


Atto I


6. Scena e Romanza di Odabella
7. Scena e Duetto di Odabella e Foresto
8. Scena e Aria di Attila
9. Finale I


Atto II


10. Scena e Aria di Ezio
11. Finale II


Atto III


12. Scena e Romanza di Foresto
13. Terzetto
14. Quartetto finale

STTBBB soli, Mixed chorus / Piano