8:00 pm - At the Opera

9:00 pm - At the Opera

10:00 pm - At the Opera

11:00 pm - At the Opera

AT THE OPERA
The Underworld and the Devil
Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep

Part 1: A musical giant

Rachmaninov, S. Francesca da Rimini, op 25. Opera in one act. Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky after Dante. First performed Moscow, 1906.     

   DANTE: Alexander Laptev, ten
PAOLO: Vladimir Atlantov, ten
FRANCESCA: Makvala Kasrashvili, sop
LANCIOTTO: Yevgeny Nesterenko, bass
Bolshoi Theatre Ch & O/Mark Ermler. 
LP Melodiya C 10 06745 48 [01:03:10]

   In the first circle of Hell, Dante learns the story of Paolo and Francesca. The lame Lanciotto Malatesta is overcome with jealousy, regretting that he had sent his handsome younger brother Paolo to woo Francesca, who was given to understand that Paolo was to be her bridegroom. Lanciotto pretends to leave Francesca, now his wife, in Paolo’s care but he watches as they read the story of Lancelot and Guinevere, which drives them to admit their love. As they kiss, Lanceotto kills them. 

Part 2: The first english opera

Locke, M. Psyche. Opera in five acts. Libretto by Thomas Shadwell. First performed London, 1675.     

Locke, M. Psyche, Act I.     
[16:16]

Locke, M. Psyche, Act II.     
[13:04]

Locke, M. Psyche, Act III.     
[18:47]

Locke, M. Psyche, Act IV.     
[06:34]

Locke, M. Psyche, Act V.     
[22:14]

   VENUS: Catherine Bott, sop
New London Consort/Philip Pickett. 
L’Oiseau-Lyre 444 336-2 [01:16:57]

   An episode in the courting of Psyche by Cupid is recounted by the gods. The unearthly beauty of Psyche, the daughter of a king, attracts the attention of the god Cupid, who transforms himself into a handsome lover to court her. Psyche’s beauty arouses the jealousy of Venus who condemns Psyche to a series of misfortunes. The last trial set by Venus sends Psyche to the Underworld but she is rescued by Jupiter and given the status of a goddess and married to Cupid. 





Followed by MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
Psyche, continued
Prepared and presented by Dan Bickel

Franck, C. Psyche (1887-88).    Belgian RTV Choir; Liège O/Paul Strauss. 
EMI 5 65162 2 [46:50]

Vierne, L. Psyché, op 33 (1914).    Steve Davislim, ten; Queensland SO/Guillaume Tourniaire. 
Melba MR 301123 [08:38]

Purcell, H. The masque of Cupid and Psyche, from Timon of Athens (1694).    Musicians of the Globe/Philip Pickett. 
Philips 446 218-2 [23:40]

AT THE OPERA The Underworld and the Devil Prepared and presented by Camille Mercep
Part 1: A musical giant      Rachmaninov, S. Francesca da Rimini, op 25. Opera in one act. Libretto by Modest Tchaikovsky after Dante. First performed Moscow, 1906.         DANTE: Alexander Laptev, ten PAOLO: Vladimir Atlantov, ten FRANCESCA: Makvala Kasrashvili, sop LANCIOTTO: Yevgeny Nesterenko, bass Bolshoi Theatre Ch &amp; O/Mark Ermler.  LP Melodiya C 10 06745 48 [01:03:10]    In the first circle of Hell, Dante learns the story of Paolo and Francesca. The lame Lanciotto Malatesta is overcome with jealousy, regretting that he had sent his handsome younger brother Paolo to woo Francesca, who was given to understand that Paolo was to be her bridegroom. Lanciotto pretends to leave Francesca, now his wife, in Paolo’s care but he watches as they read the story of Lancelot and Guinevere, which drives them to admit their love. As they kiss, Lanceotto kills them.  Part 2: The first english opera      Locke, M. Psyche. Opera in five acts. Libretto by Thomas Shadwell. First performed London, 1675.      Locke, M. Psyche, Act I.      [16:16] Locke, M. Psyche, Act II.      [13:04] Locke, M. Psyche, Act III.      [18:47] Locke, M. Psyche, Act IV.      [06:34] Locke, M. Psyche, Act V.      [22:14]    VENUS: Catherine Bott, sop New London Consort/Philip Pickett.  L’Oiseau-Lyre 444 336-2 [01:16:57]    An episode in the courting of Psyche by Cupid is recounted by the gods. The unearthly beauty of Psyche, the daughter of a king, attracts the attention of the god Cupid, who transforms himself into a handsome lover to court her. Psyche’s beauty arouses the jealousy of Venus who condemns Psyche to a series of misfortunes. The last trial set by Venus sends Psyche to the Underworld but she is rescued by Jupiter and given the status of a goddess and married to Cupid.  
 
Followed by MUSIC OF THE NIGHT Psyche, continued Prepared and presented by Dan Bickel
Franck, C. Psyche (1887-88).    Belgian RTV Choir; Liège O/Paul Strauss.  EMI 5 65162 2 [46:50] Vierne, L. Psyché, op 33 (1914).    Steve Davislim, ten; Queensland SO/Guillaume Tourniaire.  Melba MR 301123 [08:38] Purcell, H. The masque of Cupid and Psyche, from Timon of Athens (1694).    Musicians of the Globe/Philip Pickett.  Philips 446 218-2 [23:40]

A tradition of 40 years and more, At the Opera brings you favourite and lesser-known operas, in full.

A tradition of 40 years and more, At the Opera brings you favourite and lesser-known operas, in full.