The greatest of the late 19th century Italian opera composers, Verdi's works featured realistic storylines and political issues of the day. Here are selections from over a dozen operas (La Traviata, Aida, Otello, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore, Nabucco, Un Ballo in Maschera, Falstaff, La Forza del Destino) and from his solemn Requiem Mass. Dramatic and inspiring!

Includes work(s) by Jean Sibelius.

Classical Music

Includes work(s) by Erik Satie.

Classical Music

Includes work(s) by Giacomo Puccini.

Includes work(s) by Sergei Rachmaninov.

Includes work(s) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Includes work(s) by Franz Liszt.

Includes work(s) by George Frideric Handel.

Classical Music

Includes work(s) by Sir Edward Elgar.

Includes work(s) by Antonín Dvorák.

Debussy's music combines late 19th century Romanticism with a soundscape that has been called an audible version of an Impressionist painting. This 2-CD set includes his most frequently performed and recorded works, including Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; La Mer ; excerpts from Images and his opera Pelleas and Melisande ; nocturnes; preludes, sonatas and more!

The Italian-born violinist and dancer Jean-Baptiste Lully revolutionized music at the French court in the 17th century. Not only did he transform ballet entertainments into a spectacular new genre, the tragedie lyrique, but he set new standards in orchestral playing- with him the ‘modern’ orchestra was born. The Suite from Roland exemplifies the majesty of his ouvertures, the beauty of his dance movements, and the expressive depth of his chaconnes. Both Georg Muffat and Marin Marais were profoundly influenced by Lully, as their inventive suites show, and Muffat’s own preserved performance instructions have been closely followed on this recording. Named one of the top 25 ensembles in celebration of Early Musi cAmerica’s 25th anniversary in 2011, the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra is dedicated to excellent and exuberant performance of 17th and 18th century music on period instruments. It is led by its artistic director, Barthold Kuijken.

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REVIEW:

Despite the rarity of these works, all the music breathes the spirit of the French court, with the influence of Lully clearly at work throughout. Is there more of this music in the pipeline? If not, please, Naxos, get back to Indianapolis and record it post-haste.

– MusicWeb International