Composed: 1919 Premiered: 1921, Chicago Libretto by the composer, after Carlo Gozzi’s L’amore delle tre melarance Background Factions in the audience demand Tragedy, Romance, Comedy and Farce. The Cranks take control. Act I The prince is ill. If he dies, the heir to the King of Clubs would be Clarice. This must be avoided. It has ...
(Vocal/instrumental group, 1965–96, 2002–05, 2009–present) Love’s fusion of jingle-jangling folk rock, surreal lyrics and elements peculiar to themselves was at its purest on 1968’s Forever Changes, a third album on which songwriting was shared between Bryan Maclean (vocals, guitar) and leader Arthur Lee (vocals, guitar). After decades out of the public eye, and ...
The theremin (or ‘thereminvox’) is one of the earliest examples of a purely electronic instrument, and enjoys the distinction of being the first instrument designed to be played with no physical contact. The theremin was invented in 1919 by Russian cellist and physicist Lev Sergeivitch Termen (Leon Theremin). Growing out of research into proximity sensors, the theremin exploits the ...
developed a particularly forceful pizzicato, which requires the performer to pull the string vertically so that on its release it hits the fingerboard, making a slapping sound. His love of this effect ensured it acquired the name ‘Bartók pizzicato’. Double-bass players in jazz often use a similar effect, sometimes called ‘slap bass’. Other Sounding Techniques The part of ...
other musical genre. As well as being a complete art form in itself, it is a direct ancestor to the different types of current popular music we know and love today. Without the blues there would have been no Beatles or Jimi Hendrix, no Led Zeppelin or Nirvana, Louis Armstrong or Miles Davis, James Brown or Stevie ...
the musical revolution that had exploded on both sides of the Atlantic a decade earlier, rock was the new voice of youth. As the optimism of the Summer of Love gave way to late-1960s cynicism fueled by civil unrest, bloody anti-war riots and the hippy counterculture, so psychedelic and Eastern-tinged music were superseded by the vocal histrionics of ...
and Tytania, King and Queen of the Fairies, are quarrelling. Oberon orders Puck, his sprite, to find a flower with juice that makes everyone fall in love with the first creature they see on waking. Hermia is to marry Demetrius, but she loves Lysander. They plan to elope and swear fidelity. Oberon encounters Demetrius, who ...
1718, Edgware Libretto by John Gay and others, after Ovid Act I In an idyllic, pastoral setting, Galatea, a semi-divine sea-nymph, has fallen in love with Acis, a shepherd. She appeals to another shepherd, Damon, for assistance; with his help the two lovers are united and sing of their love for one ...
is political, not romantic. He asks her to help the unknown woman to escape. From the few words they exchange in the dark, it is evident that both love Maurizio. As the Principessa escapes, Adriana acquires her bracelet. Act III Maurizio has been arrested on the Principessa’s orders, but Adriana has pawned her jewels to release him. ...
captured and given as a slave to Amneris, daughter of the Egyptian king. Ethiopian forces are invading to reclaim her. Radamès, unaware of Aida’s identity, is in love with her. Ramfis, the high priest, informs him that the gods have decided who is to lead the Egyptian forces; Radamès hopes he has been chosen. Amneris enters; ...
of the King from battle. Act I The beautiful and widely courted Alceste selects as her husband Admète, King of Thessaly. Present at her wedding, and also in love with Alceste, are Alcide (Hercules) and Licomède, King of the island of Scyros. A sub-plot is introduced that reflects the main story, involving the confidants of Alcide ...
Alcina (composed in 1735) is the most celebrated of Handel’s ‘magic’ operas. Its dynamic situations are compelling and poignant: Handel’s portrayal of an enchanted hero, his brave true love and their evil enemy inspired him to create a particularly fine score that examines intense emotional experiences such as loss, guilt, lust, nostalgia and the restoration of memory. ...
Composed: 1896 Premiered: 1896, Milan Libretto by Luigi Illica Act I During the early days of the French Revolution, Gérard, a servant, is secretly in love with Maddalena, daughter of the Contessa de Coigny. Among the guests at the contessa’s soirée is the poet Andrea Chénier. The other guests are offended by his call for liberty ...
breaks in with a noisy song-and-dance routine. When this has no effect, Zerbinetta agrees that men are faithless and relates how each of her many lovers seemed like the love of her life. Arlecchino begins to woo Zerbinetta; she dances off with him. The nymphs announce the arrival of Bacchus, who is heard proclaiming how he escaped from Circe. ...
king, is in her chamber preparing to meet her betrothed. She reveals to her confidante Dalinda that her father approves of her engagement. Duke Polinesso enters, declaring his love for Ginevra. She rejects him harshly. Dalinda, herself in love with Polinesso, explains to him that Ginevra is betrothed to Ariodante, a knight. Polinesso then devises a ...
AUTHORITATIVE
An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...
CURATED
Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.
David Bowie
Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers
his life, music, art and movies, with a
sweep of incredible photographs.