Gaetano Donizetti
Gaetano Donizetti wrote more than seventy operas in the early Romantic bel canto style. His scores range from sparkling comedies such as L'elisir d'amore and Don Pasquale to tragic dramas including Lucia di Lammermoor and Anna Bolena.
Melody and clear dramatic pacing serve the voice first. Comic works trade on wit, quick ensembles and amiable intrigue; the serious operas draw on historical and literary subjects and give principals long, high-stakes scenes. Arias and duets from these scores still travel easily into recital and light-opera programmes, among them the Nocturne from Don Pasquale.
Compositions by Gaetano Donizetti appear on
Hymne à l’amour
Hymne à l’amour is an exquisite collection of art songs from soprano Siobhán Stagg and pianist Amir Farid. The programme traces the frailty of the human condition through flirtation, deep love and heartbreaking truths.
Kuri: Romantic Flute
Australian–Japanese flautist Masahide Kurita (“Kuri”) offers Romantic virtuoso works for solo flute and flute with piano, with Len Vorster. The selection includes Nielsen’s Fantasy Pieces, the Donizetti Sonata, Lemmoné’s Graceful Dance and Honegger’s Danse de la chèvre.
Rhythm of Life
A delicious blend of highlights from Broadway shows, popular music theatre, traditional songs and operatic hits, sung with style by Melbourne vocal ensemble Pot-Pourri.