“Opera Rara’s exquisite salon music series” American Record Guide
If a time-machine could take us back through the centuries, which musical occasion might we choose to attend? Surely a soirée at Rossini’s Parisian home would be high on anyone’s list. Some of the most famous singers of the day would be performing, and the guest-list would read like a who’s who of the French capital at that time. And given Rossini’s fame both as gourmet and wit, you could be sure that the food would be as excellent as the conversation would be amusing. Then, of course, there’d be the chance to hear something new by the great master himself. For though he abandoned operatic composition in 1829, Rossini went on to compose hundreds of short vocal items and piano pieces to tickle the musical palates of those lucky nough to be invited to his famous Saturday evening salons. In this latest release in Opera Rara’s Il Salotto series, we present a programme of tasty morsels from Rossini’s musical cuisine, each lovingly prepared by the master’s hand. Four more substantial entrées – including the mighty ‘Le Chant des Titans’, in which the giants threaten the god Jupiter – are served up by soloists from the Geoffrey Mitchell Choir. Why not join them, Mireille Delunsch, Jennifer Larmore, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, Lawrence Brownlee and Malcolm Martineau, for an enticing musical feast!
This disc is accompanied by a fully illustrated booklet, with an introduction and notes to the songs by Rossini specialist Richard Osborne.
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 12: Quelques riens pour album
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 12: Quelques riens pour album: No. 12. Un rien: Danse Siberienne: Allegro moderato
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves (text by E. Pacini)
No. 9. Romance, "Le sylvain"
No. 3. Tirana pour deux voix (Les amants de Seville)
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 2: Album francais (text by E. Pacini)
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 2: Album francais: No. 7. Le Dodo des enfants
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 11: Miscellanee de musique vocale (text by E. Pacini)
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 11: Miscellanee de musique vocale: No. 2. La chanson du bebe
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 2: Album francais (text by G. Torre)
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 2: Album francais: No. 10. Nocturne (Soupirs et sourire)
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves: No. 6. Le chant des Titans
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves (text by E. Pacini)
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves: No. 8. Elegie (Au chevet d'un mourant)
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 11: Miscellanee de musique vocale (text J.-J. Rousseau)
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 11: Miscellanee de musique vocale: No. 1. Ariette villageoise
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves (text by G. Torre)
Gioachino Rossini: Ridiamo, cantiamo, che tutto sen va
Ridiamo, cantiamo, che tutto sen va
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves: No. 7. Preghiera
Gioachino Rossini: Addio ai viennesi
Addio ai viennesi
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves (text by E. Pacini)
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 3: Morceaux reserves: No. 12. Tyrolienne sentimentale (Le depart des promis)
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 2: Album francais
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 2: Album francais: No. 5. Chanson de Zora
Gioachino Rossini: La notte del Santo Natale
La notte del Santo Natale
Gioachino Rossini: Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 2: Album francais (text by E. Pacini)
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 2: Album francais: No. 1. Toast pour le nouvel an
December 2009
“First of the singers is… Lawrence Brownlee… the ideal suitability of his vibrant, clear-cut tenor voice, elegance of style and technical accomplishment… When Jennifer Larmore joins him for the duet "Les amants de Séville", we are treated to some of the most delightful singing of the whole soirée. Larmore herself is in splendid form: her "Chanson de bébe" with the dear little horror's artless cries of "Pipi, maman, papa, caca" is a winner among party-pieces.”
January 2010
****
“Excellently performed by a team of first-rate soloists, with Malcolm Martineau, for me the best accompanist in the world, offering his usual expert support, and leading off with a solo.”
Click on any of the works listed above for alternative recordings.
Peches de vieillesse, Vol. 12: Quelques riens pour album: No. 12. Un rien: Danse Siberienne: Allegro moderato
