jmc's classics
This is the anniversary of the birth of Johan Svendsen (1840-1911) who I have spoken of. he is Norwegian and best known for his Romance for Violin and Orchestra. He is obscured by Edvard Grieg. Svendsen is one of my favorite obscure composers.
Several operas premiered on this day: Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin in 1925,The Pearl Fishers by Georges Bizet in 1863 and finally The Magic Flute ( Die Zauberflote) by Mozart in 1791. Mozart died less than three months later. The Magic Flute is a fairy tale opera. It is based on masonic principles. Mozart was a Free Mason. So was the librettist Emanuel Schikander. Masons or Shriners are members of a masonic lodge. This is a type of men's organization. It is part of a genre of opera called singspiel which was popular in the German speaking lands in the 18th Century. This genre of opera uses spoken dialogue in addition to singing. There are also themes from the enlightenment in this opera including the age of reasoning and knowledge. The Masons at that time and still now are looked down on by the Catholic Church. Mozart was Catholic and wrote several masses and other religious works. It is difficult to give a synopsis of the entire work. it is set in ancient Egypt. It involves a prince Tamino and the bird catcher Papageno. both are looking for wives. It has some vary famous areas and duets in it.one such is "Der Holle Rcah kocht" which is sung by the queen of the Night and is one of the most difficult areas in opera it has an F4 range.. My favorite area from this work is Pa Pa Papageno by Papageno. I recommend this opera. The version I have is of Karl Bohm conducting the Vienna Philharmonic on the London Label from 1955. it does not have the spoken dialogue. It is a 2 disc set. With the spoken dialogue it would take three discs. There are many other excellent versions. Checkk it out on You Tube.
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