Beethoven: König Stephan

Turku Philharmonic Orchestra;
Segerstam, Leif

8.574042

Claus Obalski, Roland Astor, Ernst Oder & Angela Eberlein - Speakers • Reetta Haavisto & Johanna Lehesvuori - Sopranos • Merja Mäkelä - Alto • Niklas Spångberg & Juha Kotilainen - Basses • Päivi Severeide - Harp • Key Ensemble • Chorus Cathedralis Aboensis • Aside from his only opera Fidelio, Beethoven’s general link with the theatre in Vienna came about largely with incidental music or songs to be inserted into the works of other composers – insertion arias. König Stephan was written to celebrate the politically significant opening of a new theatre in Pest, its triumphant mood honouring the ruling Austrian Emperor. Standard-bearer of female heroism Leonore Prohaska is commemorated with a Soldier’s Chorus and a Romance with harp accompaniment. In Friedrich von Matthisson’s poem Opferlied (‘Sacrificial Song’), a young man prays to Zeus to bestow upon him beauty and goodness in youth and old age. Two of Beethoven’s four settings are heard on this wide-ranging programme.

CD

Muzyka klasyczna

Naxos

08-01-2020

0747313404278