The History of Opera Part I & II
Starting in early 17th-century Florence and focusing on the works of key composers from Monteverdi and Cavalli to Handel, Gluck and Mozart, and to 19th-century grand opera, this course follows the development of the genre from its first masterpieces. We explore the worlds of opera seria and opera buffa, while enjoying musical examples from the greatest composers.
A Selected Discography:
La Pellegrina. 1589 Intermedi. Andrew Parrot, cond.
Montiverdi’s L’Orfeo. G Garrido, cond.
Monteverdi: L’Incoronazione di Poppea (Concerto Vocale/Rene Jacobs)
Lully: Les Divertissements de Versailles
Lully: Atys (Les Arts Florissants/William Christie)
Handel – Opera Arias & Cantatas. MarÃa Bayo, sop.
‘Ah! mio cor’ Handel: Arias. Magdalena Kozena, mezzo.
Mark Padmore – As steals the morn (Handel arias & scenes for tenor)
Handel;Arias for Montagnana. David Thomas, bass.
Ombre De Mon Amant – French Baroque Arias. Anne Sophie von Otter
Rameau – Pygmalion (Les Arts Florissants/William Christie)
Baroque Opera Arias: Carolyn Watkinson
Mozart: Arias. Vasselina Kasarova, mezzo. Sir Colin Davis, cond.
Mozart: Die Entführung aus dem Serail / Abduction from the Seraglio
Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
Bryn Terfel sings Tutto Mozart!
Diana Damrau ~ Arie di Bravura (Mozart, Salieri, Righini)
Rossini: L’italiana in Algeri (highlights)
Rossini Three Tenors – Ford . Matteuzzi . Austin Kelly
Rossini: Colbran, The Muse; Joyce DiDonato, mezzo.
Bravissimo – Best of Bel Canto
Pavarotti – King of the High Cs
Bellini: Norma. Gruberova/Garanca/Machado/Miles
Bel Canto. Marcelo Alvarez, tenor
Jerry Hadley & Thomas Hampson; Operatic Duets
Donizetti & Bellini Arias. Juan Diego Florez, tenor
Coloratura Spectacular. Sutherland, Horne, Jo
Natalie Dessay ~ Miracle of the Voice
The Best Opera Album In The World Ever
