Page 304 - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Coverage Book 2023-24
P. 304
The 14-selection, all-orchestral program particularly focuses on verisimo
tradition — translated as “realism” — that first took hold in Italian opera during
the 1870s, in turn inspired by French and Russian realist writers, Stendahl,
Pushkin and Balzac, among others.
Excerpts include a suitably sprightly rendition of Ponchielli’s La Gioconda, (Dance
of the Hours), as well as two intermezzi from Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci and
Puccini’s Manon Lescaut. The latter composer’s Act 3 Prelude from Madama
Butterfly is infused with dramatic tension, while the intermezzo from
Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana unfolds with lush sentimentalism.
Another, arguably more unusual highlight is Puccini’s The Witches’
Sabbath from La Tregenda that bristles with devilish energy before his Suor
Angelica: Intermezzo provides serene counterpoint to the previous storms, as well
as an appealing palate cleanser.
While clearly understood this is an instrumental album, it’s still vaguely
unsettling to hear an entire program of excerpts from the world’s greatest
operas sans soloists or choruses, only leaving listeners’ appetites whetted for
more. ★★★1/2 out of five.
Stream these: Act 3 Prelude from Madama Butterfly; The Witches’ Sabbath from La
Tregenda
– Holly Harris
