Bruges la morte – The Dead City: This was the name of the novel published in 1892 that the young Erich Wolfgang Korngold used in 1920 as the basis for his first and most successful opera. The music of Tote Stadt, composed during the turbulent yet wildly creative time of nascent atonality, holds steadfastly to the operatic forms and tonal world of Puccini. Korngold‘s enormous richness of musical colors are irresistible, as are his harmonies – which go to the outermost bounds of the expected – and impressionistic tone-painting.

Included is a 43 page color booklet with notes on the performance, musicians and sung texts.