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Nabucco, Aida

Donald Macleod continues his exploration of the operas of Verdi with the composer's two forays into 'exotic' subject-matter - Nabucco and Aida.

Donald Macleod continues his exploration of the operas of Verdi with the composer's only forays into 'exotic' subject-matter - Nabucco, his 3rd opera, and Aida, his 30th. Nabucco was Verdi's artistic break-through - a tremendous success, it made his name in Italy and all over Europe. Aida, written towards the other end of his long career, confirmed his reputation as the pre-eminent Italian composer of his day. Both works are best known for their choruses - Nabucco for 'Va pensiero', sung by the Hebrew slaves by the waters of Babylon; and Aida for the spectacular Triumph Scene from Act 2 scene 2, when the Egyptian troops return, victorious, to the city of Thebes.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Nabucco, extract from Part 1: 'O vinti, il capo a terra!'

    Performer: Tito Gobbi (Nabucco), Carlo Cava (Zechariah), Bruno Prevedi (Ishmael), Vienna Opera Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli (Conductor)

    • Label: Decca 417 407-2.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Nabucco, Part 3 (complete)

    Performer: Giovanni Foiani (High Priest of Baal), Elena Suliotis (Abigail), Tito Gobbi (Nabucco), Walter Kräutler (Abdallo), Carlo Cava (Zechariah), Chorus of the Vienna State Opera, Vienna Opera Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli (Conductor)

    • Decca 417 407-2.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Aida, extract from Act 2 scene 2: 'Gloria all'Egitto, ad Iside'

    Performer: Chorus: Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Orchestra: New Philharmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (Conducor)

    • EMI 5 67613 2.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Aida, Act 4 scene 2: 'La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse'

    Performer: Placido Domingo (Radamès), Monserrat Caballé (Aida), Fiorenza Cossotto (Amneris), New Philharmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (Conductor)

    • EMI 5 67613 2.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Nabucco, extract from Part 1: 'O vinti, il capo a terra!'

    Performer: Tito Gobbi (Nabucco), Carlo Cava (Zechariah), Bruno Prevedi (Ishmael), Vienna Opera Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli (Conductor)

    • Label: Decca 417 407-2.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Nabucco, Part 3 (complete)

    Performer: Giovanni Foiani (High Priest of Baal), Elena Suliotis (Abigail), Tito Gobbi (Nabucco), Walter Kräutler (Abdallo), Carlo Cava (Zechariah), Chorus of the Vienna State Opera, Vienna Opera Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli (Conductor)

    • Decca 417 407-2.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Aida, extract from Act 2 scene 2: 'Gloria all'Egitto, ad Iside'

    Performer: Chorus: Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Orchestra: New Philharmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (Conducor)

    • EMI 5 67613 2.
  • Giuseppe Verdi

    Aida, Act 4 scene 2: 'La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse'

    Performer: Placido Domingo (Radamès), Monserrat Caballé (Aida), Fiorenza Cossotto (Amneris), New Philharmonia Orchestra, Riccardo Muti (Conductor)

    • EMI 5 67613 2.

Broadcast

  • Tue 20 Jul 2010 12:00

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