The Rossini Bicentennial Birthday Gala

On this CD:

1. Le siège de Corinthe (The Siege of Corinth), opera La flamme rapide...La gloire et la fortune
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Samuel Ramey
Conducted by Roger Norrington

2. La donna del lago (The Lady of the Lake), opera Mura felici
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Marilyn Horne
Conducted by Roger Norrington

3. La cenerentola (Cinderella), opera Della Fortuna...Nacqui all'affanno...Non più mesta
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Frederica Von Stade
Conducted by Roger Norrington

4. Stabat mater for 2 sopranos, tenor, bass, chorus, & orchestra Inflammatus
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Deborah Voigt
Conducted by Roger Norrington

5. Guillaume Tell (William Tell), opera Ne m'abandonne point...Asile héréditaire
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Chris Merritt
Conducted by Roger Norrington

6. Petite messe solennelle, for soloists, 2 pianos, harmonium & choir Agnus Dei
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Kathleen Kuhlmann
Conducted by Roger Norrington

7. Il barbière di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), opera La ran la lera...Largo al factotum
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Thomas Hampson
Conducted by Roger Norrington

8. Zelmira, opera Terra amica
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Rockwell Blake
Conducted by Roger Norrington

9. Il viaggio a Reims, opera A tal colpo inaspettato
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Orchestra of St. Luke's with Rockwell Blake, Thomas Hampson, Marilyn Horne, Kathleen Kuhlmann, Chris Merritt, Samuel Ramey
Conducted by Roger Norrington

Customer Reviews:

Very excellent, but missing half the concert.......2003-10-07

This is the best recording (and I believe the only one on CD) of this event. It is a live performance, and even though that is the case, the sound is wonderful and true. The entire Gala was shown on PBS and it was wonderful. The interviews with Philip Gosset and Marilyn Horne during intermission were fabulous, as was the discussions with Narrington. However, this recording leaves out half the Gala. Some of the most beautiful numbers (a duet for soprano and Contralto from Selmira with only a harp and an oboe accompaning the voices) don't appear at all. The most exciting trio from Bianco et Faliero, which ended the first half of the Gala is not even represented. Not all the numbers contained in this recording are even complete. The Tenor solo from Selmira has an wonderfully exciting extended chorus for men that proceeds it, but all we have in this CD is the closing chords of that chorus.

This CD is well worth the money, but I just forewarn anyone who actually saw the concert, you won't be getting half of it. Some day I wish the entire thing would be released, for it is filled with some super exciting music. Until that day should happen, this is the best we can expect, and it will not disappoint.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

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