The genesis of the Threepenny Opera was dramatic. Everyone expected a failure. But the premiere on August 31, 1928 became an unexpected triumphant success and made Kurt Weill and Bertold Brecht all of a sudden famous. Weill’s melodies became popular and the work was performed 10.000 times alone in the first 5 years.
Die Musik, die uns Lehar im Land des Lächelns präsentiert ist umwerfend. Lehar selbst sagte von seiner Musik, dass er immer die Melodie suche. Und welche Pracht bietet er uns in diesem Werk! Jedes der Stücke entfaltet einen unwiderstehlichen Charme und viele wurde zu Erfolgsnummern.
The music that Lehar presents to us in “das Land des Lächelns” (“the Land of Smiles”) is stunning. Lehar himself said of his music that he always sought the melody. And what splendor he offers us in this work! Each of the pieces unfolds an irresistible charm and has become a success story.
Norma is an effective opera written in the heroic spirit of its time. A story full of passion and with a tragic end. What Lucia di Lammermoor was for Donizetti is Norma for Bellini, it is his signature work and perhaps the greatest master work of the belcanto era.
Tchaikovsky wrote ten operas. Eugene Onegin is his most famous and most beautiful opera. Emotional music, dazzling instrumentation and inner drama characterize this work. Tchaikovsky also gives us beautiful musical orchestral passages reminiscent of his greatest ballets.
Along with Wagner’s “Meistersinger von Nürnberg,” Freischütz is considered the German national opera par excellence. Von Weber shows himself to be a brilliant theater dramatist and creator of great melodies, and with this work he made a decisive contribution to the transfiguration of German Romanticism. Few operas have contributed as many melodies to the german song heritage as Freischütz. Weber’s greatest strength (and he had many) is his inspiration for melodies.
Johan Strauss’ Fledermaus reflects the unforgettable magic of the belle epoque and the charm of Vienna.
Massenet’s Manon is one of the absolute highlights of French opera. The role of Manon is one of the most impressive role portraits in opera literature. Experience the great wealth of ideas Massenet has composed in it.
Interesting facts and great YouTube Videos about Jacques Offenbach’s «LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN». Highlights are «Il était une fois à la cour d’Eisenach» with Placido Domingo, «Les oiseaux dans la charmille» with Joan Sutherland and the Barcarolle.
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