The Symphony No. 1 in E♭ major, K. 16, was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1764, while in London, UK. He was eight years. By this time, he was already notable in Europe as a wunderkind performer, but had composed little
music. The piece was written on the Mozart family's Grand Tour of Europe in London when they had to move to Chelsea during the summer of 1764 due to Mozart's father's throat infection. The house at 180 Ebury Street, now in the borough of Westminster, where this this symphony was written, is marked with a plaque.
This symphony was first performed on 21 February 1765. The work shows the influence of
several composers, including his father Leopold Mozart and the sons of Johann Sebastian Bach, in particular, Johann Christian Bach, an early symphonist working in London whom Mozart had met there.
Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly) is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa.
It is based on the short story "Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Luther Long, which in turn was based on stories told to Long by his sister Jennie Correll and on the semi-autobiographical 1887 French novel Madame Chrysanthème by Pierre Loti. Long's version was dramatized by David Belasco as the one-act play Madame Butterfly: A Tragedy of Japan, which, after premiering in New York in 1900, moved to London, where Puccini saw it in the summer of that year.
On February 17, 1904, Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece, Madama Butterfly
premiered at Teatro alla Scala, sung in Italian.
The opera, briefly
Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton, an officer in the U.S. Navy, is captivated with Cio-Cio San, a young geisha, known as 'Madam Butterfly'. Pinkerton's desire for Butterfly is so strong that he would do anything to have her. He therefore arranges through Goro, a
marriage broker, to marry her in a Japanese wedding ceremony.
This tale of a young Japanese geisha who marries an American naval officer who then leaves her explores themes of devotion and responsibility, fidelity and justice.
Food for thought: It should be noted that 'Madama Butterfly' was composed by Puccini during the 18th and 19th century opera – quite different from the current gender and racial implications, to a degree that no small number of hyper-critical observers are demanding its removal from the repertoire entirely for what may be construed as racist. Simply, let's enjoy the show, the music, the performance.
Japan, at the turn of the 20th century. Lieutenant Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton of the U.S. Navy inspects a house overlooking Nagasaki harbor he is leasing from Goro, a marriage broker. The house comes with three servants and a geisha wife named Cio-Cio-San, known as 'Madam Butterfly'. Subject to a monthly renewal, the lease runs for 999 years. Sharpless, the American consul, arrives breathless from climbing the hill. Pinkerton describes his philosophy of the fearless Yankee roaming the world in search of experience and pleasure. He intends to marry Butterfly although unsure of his feelings for the young girl. Sharpless warns him that the girl may view the marriage differently, but Pinkerton brushes off such concerns and says someday he will take a real, American wife. He offers the consul whiskey and proposes a toast. Butterfly arrives with her friends for the ceremony. After the formal introduction, Butterfly admits her age is 15, and explains that her family was once prominent but now earns a living as a geisha to earn her living. Her relatives arrive for the marriage of Butterfly to Pinkerton. Cio-Cio-San shows Pinkerton her few possessions and tells him that she has been to the Christian
mission and will embrace her husband’s religion. The Imperial Commissioner reads the marriage agreement, and the relatives congratulate the couple. Suddenly, a threatening voice is heard from afar—it is the priest Bonze, Butterfly’s uncle. He curses the girl for going to the mission and rejecting her ancestral religion. Pinkerton
orders them to leave, and as they go, the Bonze and the relatives denounce Cio-Cio-San. Pinkerton tries to console Butterfly. Suzuki helps her into her wedding kimono before the couple meets in the garden, where they make love.
Act II.
Three years have passed. Cio-Cio-San continuously awaits her husband’s return. Suzuki prays to the gods for help, but Butterfly berates her for believing in lazy Japanese gods rather than in Pinkerton’s promise to
return. Sharpless appears with a letter from Pinkerton, but before he can read it to Butterfly, Goro arrives with the latest suitor, the wealthy Prince Yamadori. Butterfly politely serves the guests tea but insists she is not available for marriage—as she awaits her husbands return. Sharpless attempts to read Pinkerton’s letter and suggests that perhaps Butterfly should reconsider Yamadori’s offer. In response, she presents the consul with
her young son by Pinkerton. She says that his name is “Sorrow,” but will be called "Joy" when his father returns. Unable to read Pinkerton's letter, Sharpless leaves, promising to tell the former of the child. A cannon shot in the harbor announces the arrival of a ship. Butterfly and Suzuki take a telescope to the terrace and read the name of the vessel—it is Pinkerton’s. Overjoyed, Butterfly joins Suzuki in decorating the house to welcome Pinkerton. Butterfly, her son, and Suzuki settle into a vigil watching over the harbor but with no Pinkerton in sight.
Act III.
Another Dawn breaks. Suzuki insists that Butterfly get some sleep. Butterfly carries the child into the house. Sharpless appears with Pinkerton and Kate, Pinkerton’s new wife. Suzuki realizes who the American woman is and agrees to help break the news to Butterfly. Pinkerton is overcome with guilt and runs from the scene, pausing to remember his days in the little house. Cio-Cio-San rushes in hoping to find Pinkerton, but sees Kate instead. Grasping the situation, she agrees to give up her son but insists Pinkerton return for him. Dismissing everyone, Butterfly takes out the dagger with which her father committed suicide, choosing to die with honor rather than live in shame. She is interrupted when the child comes in, but Butterfly says goodbye and blindfolds him. She stabs herself as Pinkerton arrives, calling out for her.
Video Credit:
2018.Puccini - Madama Butterfly full Opera english subtitles Soprano Mirella Freni Tenore Placido Domingo. YouTube, uploaded by Giacomo James. Accessed February 17, 2023. (Note: Herbert Von Karajan, Norbert Balatsch; Wiener Philarmoniker, staged and directed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. Artists: Mirella Freni, Placido Domingo, Christa Ludwig, Robert Kerns, Michel Sénéchal, Marius Rintzler, Elke Schary, Giorgio Stendoro.)
Arcangelo Corelli (b. 17 February 1653 – d. 8 January 1713), was an Italian composer and violinist of the Baroque era. Baptismal records indicate that he was born on 17 February in the smal Romagna town of Fusignano, (family were land-owners), then in the diocese of Ferrara, Papal States. His father, from whom he took the name Arcangelo, died five weeks
before the composer's birth. Consequently, he was raised by his mother,
Santa (née Ruffini, or Raffini), alongside four elder siblings.
He visited Modena and Nales, conducted at the Roman residence of Queen Christina of Sweden, and t uaght many pupils including Geminiani.
His music, marked by graceful melody, is richer in contrapuntal and harmonic interest, and admired for the balance and brilliance of its style. He was key in the development of the modern genres of sonata and concerto, in establishing the preeminence of the violin.
Image Credit:
Arcangelo Corelli as painted in 1697 by the Irish painter Hugh Howard. Public Domain.
Join Sydney Philharmonia Choirs this year 2018 for their Discover series! The music will bring great choral masters that allow us to explore the
history behind the works, what inspired the composers and the chance to
sing excerpts from the scores. All this under the guidance of a skilled
group of workshop leaders who specialize in choral music. Each workshop
leader has been selected based on their experience with particular
composers and will bring a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise
to the workshop.
Why join Discover?
Gain a deeper understanding of the times in which the music was written and uncover the stories around the work
Actively engage in the music, singing sections of the work
Learn about your voice and the ways it is used to sing these great choral works
For the first half of 2018 Discover workshops take place in SPC rehearsal space at Pier 4, Hickson Road, Millers Point. Pier 4 is
located in Walsh Bay, is easily accessible by public transport and is
surrounded by cafes, restaurants all with gorgeous views of Sydney
Harbour. With renovations scheduled to begin on the Walsh Bay wharves in
July 2018, they will be holding the remainder of workshops CBD
locations, soon to be confirmed.
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1965) of the film Doctor Zhivago. Composed and Conducted by Maurice Jarre, performed by the MGM Studio Orchestra.
Movie information: Based on the novel by Boris Pasternak. Producer: Carlo Ponti, Director: David Lean, Screenplay: Robert Bolt. Starring: Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Tom Courtenay, Alec Guinness, Siobhan McKenna, Ralph Richardson, Rod Steiger, Rita Tushingham
Playlist:
1. As played by The Metropolitan Pops Orchestra (1965)
2. Main Title
3. Komarovsky And Lara's Rendezvous
4. The Funeral
5. Lara's Theme
6. Sventyski's Waltz
7. Overture
8. Lara's Theme (Waltz Version)
9. At The Student Cafe
10. Tonya's Theme
11. March Theme-45rpm
12. March Theme-33rpm
In a globe-spanning collaboration, Sydney Philharmonia - VOX and Estonia’s E Stuudio Youth Choir celebrate the rich vocal music of our countries. The young voices of Sydney’s VOX choir are a product of
Australia’s bold musical culture – and its great choral music. VOX
performs new Australian music by leading composers such as Ross Edwards,
Paul Stanhope and Dan Walker inspired by Australia’s unique
environment. E Stuudio Choir will showcase the spiritually-inclined
music of their homeland. Finally, the
two choirs join forces to stunning effect in a meeting of north and
south.
On the face of it, the tiny Baltic state of Estonia and the vast continent of Australia couldn't be more different, or distant. But there's at least one thing that unites us: the vibrancy of our musical
traditions.
Featuring works by Arvo Pärt, Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo, Dan Walker and Paul Stanhope.
Celebrating the genius of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with three favourite overtures, six great piano concertos, and his final three symphonies.
This post is inspired by a recent series of performances hosted by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, February 1-10, 2018. The events featured the SSO with pianist Emanuel Ax, Maestro David Robertson, conducting.
I. Dramatic Mozart
Don Giovanni: Overture
Piano Concerto No.14 in E flat, K449
Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor, K466
Symphony No.40
II. Seductive Mozart
Cosi fan tutte: Overture
Piano Concerto No.16 in D, K.451
Piano Concerto No.17 in G, K453
Symphony No.39
III. Magnificent Mozart
The Marriage of Figaro: Overture
Piano Concerto No.19 in F, K.459
Piano Concerto No.27 in B flat, K.595
Symphony No.41 (Jupiter)
Resources:
Booklets, and SSO programs to subscribers. 2018.
Sydney Symphony Orchestra. SSO website. Accessed February 2018.
(c) 2018. Tel Asiado. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
