Opis: Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel

Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov showed musical promise as a child, but the pursuit of a Naval career meant that much of his grounding in musical theory was gained in between various tours of duty. Although best known in the Western world for his nationalist orchestral works, Rimsky-Korsakov brought Russian opera to the fore, so that by the end of his life, the genre was flourishing.

The Golden Cockerel, written between 15 October 1906 and 29 August 1907, was inspired by Alexander Pushkin's tale and caused concern among the Russian authorities, with the story detailing the murder of a Tsar and providing a critique of the power associated with Tsarism. This predictably led to trouble with the censor, which demanded that the prologue, epilogue and fourteen lines of the libretto should be cut; Rimsky-Korsakov refused and the work was permitted to only appear in print. At the centre of the opera is the juxtaposition of two of the characters and their respective musical language: that of the rigid marches demonstrating the power of King Dodon and the delicate, ethereal chromaticism of the Queen of Shemaka, designed to sound other-worldly. This recording includes the opera in full, containing none of the cuts demanded by the censor.

Of this 1985 recording by the Sofia National Opera, conducted by Dimiter Manolov, BBC Music Magazine wrote that 'the famous 19-minute coloratura show-piece ... is beautifully encompassed' by Elena Stoyanova, who sings the role of the Queen of Shemakha. The role of King Dodon is sung by Hungarian bass Nikolai Stoilov.

Other information:
- Recorded in 1985.
- Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov is one of the most important Russian composers of romantic opera. His operas, often on themes taken from Russian folklore and fairy tales, abound in colourful and atmospheric scenes, with just the right tinge of spicy Russian melodic flavours.
- The Golden Cockerel, based on a tale by Pushkin, was censored by the Russian authorities, accused of hidden political motives. This performance offers the complete, uncut version of the opera, one of Rimsky's finest and best known.
Excellent performance by great Bulgarian voices and forces, a superb recording from the Balkanton catalogue.
- The Booklet includes the synopsis of the opera, as well as notes on the composer and the work.

Szczegóły: Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel

Nazwa: Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel
Producent: Brilliant Classics
Seria: BRILLIANT OPERA COLLECTION
Kod paskowy: 5028421944319
Języki: angielski
Format: 14.0x12.0cm
Oprawa: Plastikowa
Waga: 0.12 kg
Wykonawca: Rimsky-Korsakov
Czas trwania: 1:58:41
Typ głównego nośnika: AC
Ilość nośników: 2
Opis nośników:

1. The Golden Cockerel CD 1 (CD-Audio)
   1. Prologue: Introduction: I am the master magician (koncert - utwór 04:30)
   2. The King?s monologue: I have summoned you here (koncert - utwór 03:04)
   3. Guidon?s plan: Great father (koncert - utwór 02:49)
   4. Afron?s plan (koncert - utwór 05:36)
   5. Hail, Majesty! Sire! (koncert - utwór 06:10)
   6. Cock-a-doodle-do! The coast is clear ? The Parrot Scene (koncert - utwór 05:17)
   7. The Dodon?s siesta ? Cock-a-doodle-do! Beware! (koncert - utwór 08:16)
   8. King Dodon?s dream (koncert - utwór 05:28)
   9. The Cockerel?s scene: Cock-a-doodle-do!... Oh! What misfortune! (koncert - utwór 05:01)

2. The Golden Cockerel CD 2 (CD-Audio)
   1. Soldiers? chorus: The silent night is ehispering fearful things (koncert - utwór 08:19)
   2. The Queen of Shemakha?s entrance: Hail, O ray of morning sun (koncert - utwór 19:01)
   3. Whose heart rich in love (koncert - utwór 12:14)
   4. Dance of the Queen of Shemakha: At first I shall dance with a lowered veil (koncert - utwór 07:23)
   5. Sisters, who limps beside the resplendent beauty? (koncert - utwór 02:28)
   6. It is terrible, brothers (koncert - utwór 09:11)
   7. Who is that stranger standing there? (koncert - utwór 05:49)
   8. King Dodon?s death: Ha, ha, ha! (koncert - utwór 05:42)
   9. Epilogue: There, my story?s ended! (koncert - utwór)

Recenzje: Rimsky-Korsakov: The Golden Cockerel