Jos van de Braak

Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Simon Boccanegra' was first in 1857. Only after a revision in 1880 with new texts by Arrigo Boito, the librettist of 'Otello', the Opera became a success and is even played now...

Johann Strauss" Operetta "Die Fledermaus" belongs to his finest works and is the most successful operetta ever. Even nowadays "Die Fledermaus" is performed - especially around New Year's Day - all aro...

Johannes Brahms composed the 'Variations on a theme by Haydn' in the summer of 1873. The theme Brahms used was entitled 'Chorale St. Antoni' and attributed to the composer Joseph Haydn. But subsequent...

Johannes Brahms composed the 'Variations on a theme by Haydn' in the summer of 1873. The theme Brahms used was entitled 'Chorale St. Antoni' and attributed to the composer Joseph Haydn. But subsequent...

Hans Christian Lumbye est surtout connu pour ses compositions lumineuses, dont beaucoup évoquent des sources non musicales. Le "Champagne Galop" (BTM681), par exemple, commence par le "pop" d'un bouch...

Hans Christian Lumbye is best known for his light compositions, many of which evoke non-musical sources. The 'Champagne Galop' (BTM681), for example, begins with the 'pop' of a champagne cork, and the...

Johann Strauss's (1825-1899) ninth operetta Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice) premiered 1883 in Berlin. Although the score gained high acclaim, the press criticized the original libretto as si...

Johann Strauss's (1825-1899) ninth operetta Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice) premiered 1883 in Berlin. Although the score gained high acclaim, the press criticized the original libretto as si...

The 'Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major' by Antonio Vivaldi is one of the few solo works of the early 1700's to feature brass instruments and is among Vivaldi's best-known creations. As with the gre...

The 'Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major' by Antonio Vivaldi is one of the few solo works of the early 1700's to feature brass instruments and is among Vivaldi's best-known creations. As with the gre...

The 'Florida Suite' is an orchestral suite by English composer Frederick Delius (1862-1934). Despite the work's title, Delius actually composed this suite in Leipzig in 1887 after his time as manager...

The 'Florida Suite' is an orchestral suite by English composer Frederick Delius (1862-1934). Despite the work's title, Delius actually composed this suite in Leipzig in 1887 after his time as manager...

As many may be aware, Emile Waldteufel rivaled Johann Strauss II in the genre of the waltz. But unlike Strauss, many of Waldteufel's popular waltzes were arrangements of folk themes or themes by other...

As many may be aware, Emile Waldteufel rivaled Johann Strauss II in the genre of the waltz. But unlike Strauss, many of Waldteufel's popular waltzes were arrangements of folk themes or themes by other...

Since its premiere in 1892, 'Werther' has ranked among Jules Massenet's most admired and beloved scores it has also proved the most enduring. Yet the opera's origins remain somewhat mysterious and it...

Since its premiere in 1892, 'Werther' has ranked among Jules Massenet's most admired and beloved scores it has also proved the most enduring. Yet the opera's origins remain somewhat mysterious and it...

Le compositeur russe Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov est principalement connu pour sa suite orchestrale "Caucasian Sketches", qui comprend le très remarqué "Procession of the Sardar". Mais ses "Fragments tur...

Le compositeur russe Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov est principalement connu pour sa suite orchestrale "Caucasian Sketches", qui comprend le très remarqué "Procession of the Sardar". Mais ses "Fragments tur...

Giuseppe Giordani (1751-1798) was an Italian composer, mainly of opera. Giordani is mostly know for his popular aria 'Caro mio ben'. This song is even nowadays sung by many great singers, as well male...

Giuseppe Giordani (1751-1798) was an Italian composer, mainly of opera. Giordani is mostly know for his popular aria 'Caro mio ben'. This song is even nowadays sung by many great singers, as well male...

Cavalleria Rusticana est un drame tempétueux d'adultère et de vengeance qui se déroule dans un village italien isolé. Ses passions terreuses, ses scènes d'affrontement audacieuses et sa partition rich...

Cavalleria Rusticana est un drame tempétueux d'adultère et de vengeance qui se déroule dans un village italien isolé. Ses passions terreuses, ses scènes d'affrontement audacieuses et sa partition rich...

Spanish composer Manuel de Falla composed in 1914 'Siete canciones populares españolas' (Seven Spanish Folksongs). It's a cycle of traditional Spanish songs arranged for soprano and piano by the compo...

Spanish composer Manuel de Falla composed in 1914 'Siete canciones populares españolas' (Seven Spanish Folksongs). It's a cycle of traditional Spanish songs arranged for soprano and piano by the compo...

Le Nozze di Figaro est l'un des trois opéras "da Ponte" que Mozart a composés sur des livrets de Lorenzo da Ponte (1749-1838), le célèbre directeur de théâtre et poète de cour viennois. L'aria "Non so...