Title: Introduction to Orfeo: Opera Explained Artist: David Timson Label: Naxos Educational Product Type: COMPACT DISCS UPC: 636943817421 Genre: Classical Artists, Opera/Operetta Release Date: 2008-11-18 Number of Discs: 1
Monteverdi's Orfeo, first performed in 1607, generates a special excitement because it is the first unquestioned masterpiece of opera. Notable for it's precise orchestration and powerful drama it was a groundbreaking work. It concerns the legend of Orpheus, the demi-god whose music had the power to conquer the forces of Hell and to bring his wife back, briefly, to life. The extracts used in this introduction are from Naxos's full recording; it uses authentic period instruments, which serve to evoke the early Baroque period of the opera's composition.
Tracks: 1.1 Background: Introduction 1.2 Background: Monteverdi's Early Life and Education 1.3 Background: Monteverdi's Other Operas and Performance Practice 1.4 Orfeo: Prologue 1.5 Orfeo: A Shepherd Summons the Chorus to Sing 1.6 Orfeo: Orpheus Is Told That Eurydice Is Dead 1.7 Orfeo: Expressions of Grief from the Chorus and Shepherds 1.8 Orfeo: Orpheus Descends Into Hell 1.9 Orfeo: Charon's Response to Orpheus 1.10 Orfeo: Pluto's Pronouncement 1.11 Orfeo: Doubts Assail Orpheus 1.12 Orfeo: Orpheus's Long Lament and the First Ending 1.13 Orfeo: The Second Ending
Audio Sample: All soundclips are provided by Tidal and are for illustrative purposes only. For some releases, the tracks listed may not accurately represent the tracks on the physical release.
