Opera Archives - Queen of the Night

QOTN : Across times and styles

Margaret — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 06:10:29 +0000

This programme crosses centuries and genres. It starts with music of two wooden puppets, one Italian, the other Russian.
Elvis Presley’s Wooden Heart would fit right in …. but doesn’t get a guernsey Perhaps another time. Or not.

Playlist: 07 February 2021
– Harline & Smith: When You Wish Upon A Star. Renée Fleming, sop. Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
– Stravinsky: Petrushka: Danse Russe. Chicago Symphony Orchestra/ Riccardo Muti.
– Villa-lobos: 5 preludes for guitar: no. 5 in D. Pepe Romero, gtr.
– Donizetti: La Fille du Regiment: Act I: “Quoi! Vous m’aimez?” (Love Duet). Dame Joan Sutherland, sop. Luciano Pavarotti, ten. Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden/ Richard Bonynge.
– Pergolesi: flute concerto no. 1 in G major: II. adagio. James Galway, flute. I Solisti Veneti/ Claudio Scimone.
– Sibelius:“Les trois soeurs aveugles (Three Blind Sisters)”, op. 46, no. 5; Om tiotusen år (In ten thousand years)”, op. 33, no. 7. Kim Borg, bass.
– Stenhammar: As You Like It: No. 16 Pastorale; No. 18 Allegro. Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra/ Arvo Volmer.
– Saint-Saens: Pastorale. Coro della Radio Swizzera.
– Rodgers: Edelweiss. Vienna boys choir.
– Mozart: Cosi fan tutte: Overture. English Chamber Orchestra/ Jeffrey Tate.
– Josquin des Prez: Petite Camusette. Hilliard Ensemble.
– Giordano: Fedora: Act II: Amor ti vieta. Giuseppe di Stefano, ten.
– Telemann: Jesus Liegt in letzten Zügen, TWV1: 983: III. Aria. Christoph Prégardien, baritone.

Graphic: Sibelius Monument, Helsinki

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QOTN – Morning has broken

Margaret — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 05:45:55 +0000

Wake up, open your eyes, new possibilities await … this week’s theme is sunrise!
Listen out for a very ‘special’ first in Tim’s 11 years of presenting Queen of the Night. Will you be as shocked as he is?!

Playlist: 24 January 2021

– Strauss, R: Alsa Sprach Zarathustra: I. Sunrise. Chicago Symphony Orchestra/ Fritz Reiner.
– Grieg: Peer Gynt, op.23: Act IV: Morning Mood. James Galway, flute. National Philharmonic Orchestra.
– Ravel: Daphnis et Chloë: Part III. Lever du Jour. Chicago Symphony Orchestra/ Jean Martinon.
– Edwards: Dawn Mantras. Cantillation, Sydney Children’s Choir, Jane Sheldon and Lyn Williams, sop.
– Preisner: Quartet in Four Movements: Aurore.
– Tchaikovsky: The Sleeping Beauty: Act II: Vision of Aurore. Baltic Sea Philharmonic/ Kristjan Järvi.
– Mascagni: Iris: Act I: Hymn to the Sun. Munich Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus/ Giuseppe Patanè.
– Gounod: Roméo et Juliette: Act II: “Ah! Leve-toi Soleil!”. Joseph Calleja, ten. Academy of St. Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner.
– Jerry Bock (arr. John Williams): Fiddler on the Roof: Sunrise Sunset. Johann Strauss Orchestra/André Rieu.
– Mussorgsky: Khovanshchina: Dawn on the Moscow River. Cleveland Orchestra/ George Szell.
– Elgar: The Wind at Dawn. Unnamed Orchestra & Conductor.

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QOTN : Truly eclectic!

Margaret — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 10:12:55 +0000

From the Wild West to a Zombie Apocalypse to the Antarctic….
What more could anyone possibly want?
Well Tim has plenty more for you to enjoy!

Playlist: 17 January 2021

– Puccini: La Fanciulla del West: Ch’ella mi credo libero (“Let her believe I’m free and far away”). Giuseppe di Stefano, ten. La Scale Theatre Orchestra.
– Cho Yoon Jung: “Sweet Home” soundtrack: Dies Irae.
– Johansson: “Arrival” soundtrack: Hannah.
– Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, op.77: III. Allegro. Arthur Grumiaux, vln. Concertgebouw Orch/ No Conductor Listed.
– Hovhaness: Invocations to Vahakn: III & IV. Şahan Arzruni, pno. Adam Rosenblatt, perc.
– Purcell: Upon a Quiet Conscience: “Close thine eyes and sleep secure”. English Baroque Soloists/ John Eliot Gardiner.
– Fenton: Frozen Planet: Scott’s Legacy. BBC Concert Orchestra/ George Fenton.
– Haydn: L’Incontro Improvviso: Act I: “It’s like a dream”. Margaret Marshall & Della Jones, sop. Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne/ Antal Doráti.
– Schubert: Sonatina in D for Violin & Piano, D. 384. II. Andante. Arthur Grumiaux, vln., Paul Crossley, pno.
– Mozart: Quintet in E flat major K. 452: II. Larghetto. Dennis Brain Wind Ensemble.

Graphic: Netflix

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QOTN welcomes 2021

Margaret — Sun, 10 Jan 2021 03:29:51 +0000

The calendar has been re-set, looking forward positively.
In this podcast, some names that will be heard often during 2021 are introduced, celebrating their lives and the gifts that their musical talents have left with us.
Your presenter Tim also starts the new year with one of his trademark dad/uncle jokes. Oh dear

Playlist: 03 January 2021

– Josquin des Prez: Scaramella (va alla guerra). David Munrow.
– Saint-Saëns: Symphony no.3 in C minor, op.78 “Organ”: 3rd movement (excerpt). French National Radio & Television Orchestra/ Jean Martinon.
– Saint-Saëns: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, op.28. Arthur Grumiaux, vln. Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux/ Jean Fournet.
– Donizetti: L’Elisir d’Amore: Act II: Una Furtiva Lagrima. Giuseppe di Stefano, ten. Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/ Francesco Molinari-Pradelli.
– Bellini: Norma: Act I: Meco all’altar di Venere. Franco Corelli, ten. Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala di Milano/ Tullio Serafin.
– Bottesini: Miklos Perenyi, double-bass. Budapest Chamber Symphony.
– Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze (Dances of the League of David), op.6: XIV: Tender and Songlike. Géza Anda, pno.
– Arnold: Bridge Over the River Kwai (Soundtrack): Colonel Bogey. London Symphony Orchestra/ Richard Hickox.
– Mozart: Horn Concerto no. 4 in E-flat major, K. 495: III. Rondo. Dennis Brain, horn. Hallé Orchestra/ Lawrence Turner.
– Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, op. 61: Nocturne. Dennis Brain, horn.

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QOTN : 2020 comes to an end

Margaret — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 06:47:16 +0000

In the final Queen of the Night programme for 2020, Tim is determined that, no matter what, the year has a happy ending …. even if it only comes to you via opera and ballet.

Playlist: 27 December 2020

Rossini: La Cenerentola: Overture. The Philharmonia Orchestra/ Tullio Serafin.
Rossini: Messa di Gloria: Laudamus Te. Kathleen Battle, sop.
Vivaldi: Gloria in D major, RV589: Laudamus Te. Sara Macliver, sop. Sally-Anne Russell, mezzo. Orchestra of the Antipodes/ Antony Walker.
Bellini: La Sonnambula: Act II finale. Joan Sutherland, sop. London Opera Chorus and National Philharmonic Orchestra/ Richard Bonynge.
Bellini: I Puritani: Act III: Credeasi, misera! Luciano Pavarotti, ten. Orchestra and Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/ Richard Bonynge.
Stravinsky: Firebird: Finale. Orchestra de l’Opéra Bastille/ Myung-Whun Chung.
Purcell: Dido’s Lament. Central Band of the Royal Air Force.
Elgar: Sospiri, op.70. Nigel Kennedy, vln.
Beethoven: Piano Concerto no. 5 in E-flat major, op.72 “Emperor”: III. Rondo. Leon Fleisher, pno. Cleveland Orchestra/ George Szell.
Bruch: Violin Concerto no.1 in G minor, op.26: III. Finale. Jascha Heifetz, vln.

Graphic: Sunset, The North Sea

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QOTN: Christmas Edition

Margaret — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 03:22:32 +0000

Your presenter Tim Perry is overJOYed to be back in the studio, broadcasting live this Christmas Edition of Queen of the Night.
Tim presents 100% beautiful music, not a jingle to be heard.

Playlist: 20 December 2020

Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, op.71: Act I: Overture. Mariinsky Orchestra/ Valery Gergiev.
Puccini: La Boheme: Act I: Che Gelida Manina. Alain Vanzo, ten.
Adolphe Adam: O Holy Night. Luciano Pavarotti, ten.
Schubert: Ave Maria. Jose Carreras, ten.
Anon: Carol of the Bells. Canadian Brass/ David Gray.
Handel: Messiah: Rejoice Greatly. Kathleen Battle, sop. Toronto Symphony Orchestra/ Andrew Davis.
Handel: Messiah: Hallelujah. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Toronto Symphony Orchestra/ Andrew Davis.
The Holly and The Ivy. Choir of King’s College, Cambridge/ Sir David Willcocks.
Puccini: La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla. Victoria de los Angeles, sop. Jussi Björling, ten. RCA Victor Orchestra/ Sir Thomas Beecham.
Trad: El Noi de la Mare. Victoria de los Angeles, sop.
Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker, op.71: Act II: Spanish Dance & Russian Dance. Mariinsky Orchestra/ Valery Gergiev.
Trad: Veni, Veni Emmanuel. The Sixteen/ Harry Christophers.
Benjamin Britten (Text: Anon. 16^thC): A Boy Was Born. op.3: Corpus Christi Carol. Dame Janet Baker, mezzo-sop. Gerald Moore, pno.

Graphic: Angel by Leunig

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QOTN : The Movember Show

Margaret — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 07:27:12 +0000

What do Puccini, Charlie Chaplin, Faure, Elgar, Richard Strauss, Johann Strauss II, Grieg, and Janacek have in common?
They all had moustaches! This is your presenter Tim’s very subtle Movember theme for the last show in November.
Did you pick it? Full marks if you did!

Playlist: 29 November 2020

– Puccini: Requiem. Vasari Singers/ Jeremy Backhouse.
– Goransson: Black Panther Soundtrack: Wakanda.
– Barry: Chaplin. City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra/ Nic Raine.
– Faure: Papillon, op.77. Ophélie Gaillard, vlc.
– Ethel Smyth: Concerto for Violin, Horn and Orchestra: II. Elegy. Sophie Langdon, vln. Richard Watkins, hrn. BBC Philharmonic Orchestra/ Odaline de la Martinez.
– Elgar: Violin Concerto in B minor, op.61: I. Allegro (opening). James Ehnes, vln. Philharmonia Orchestra/ Andrew Davis.
– Strauss, R: Vier Letzte Lieder (Four Last Songs): I. Frühling (Spring). Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, sop. London Symphony Orchestra/ Anrew Davis.
– Strauss, J Jnr: Voices of Spring Waltz. Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/ Willi Bovskovsky.
– Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Book I, op. 12, no.2: Waltz. Leif Ove Andsnes, pno.
– Jenkins: Armed Mass – A Mass for Peace: Agnus Dei & Now the Guns Have Stopped. London Philharmonic Orchestra/ Karl Jenkins.
– Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Book V, op.54, no.3: March of the Trolls. Leif Ove Andsnes, pno.
– Janacek: Zdrávas Maria. Christ Church Cathedral Choir.

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QOTN : Connery, Bond, Spring, and more

Margaret — Sat, 14 Nov 2020 22:37:54 +0000

This programme was originally presented shortly after the death of Sir Sean Connery. As a tribute to him, this episode of Queen of the Night includes music from several of his films – and they’re not all James Bond.

Playlist: 08 November 2020

– Barry: Goldfinger: main theme. City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra/ Nic Raine.
– Barry: You Only Live Twice: Capsule in Space. City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra/ Nic Raine.
– Marais: Sonata à la Marésienne: III. Un peu gay. Musica Antiqua Köln/ Reinhard Goebel.
– Barry: Robin and Marian: Suite. City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra/ Nic Raine.
– Choi: let me live amid nature. Mischa Maisky, vlc. Daria Hovora, pno.
– Strauss: Tales from the Vienna Woods. Philadelphia/ Ormandy.
– Sullivan: The Mikado: Flowers that Bloom in the Spring. Richard Lewis, ten. Pro Arte Orchestra/ Sir Malcolm Sargent.
– Poledouris: Hunt for Red October: Hymn to Red October.
– Johansen: Quintet, op.35. II. Allegretto. Fragaria Vesca.
– Bax: Phantasy sonata: III. Lento Espressivo. Mobius.
– Vivaldi: Concerto for Violin and Organ in D minor, RV 541: II. Grave. Accademia Bizantina.

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QOTN : All Hallows Eve = Halloween

Margaret — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 04:33:09 +0000

Your host Tim matches fabulous music to various ‘celebrations’ of the infamous of this date.
Check out the characters and events of history, literature, film, given below.
What music would you choose?

Playlist: 01 November 2020

Black Death (1340s)
Philippe de Vitry: Motet: Petre Clemens. Sequentia Ensemble.

Dracula (1897)
Delius: Koanga: La Calinda. London Symphony Orchestra/ Barry Wordsworth.

Salem Witch Trials (1692)
– Purcell: If Music be the Food of Love. Andreas Scholl, counter-tenor. Academia Bizantina.
– Purcell: Music for a while. Alfred Deller, counter-tenor. Deller Consort.

Bedlam asylum (1770)
Boccherini: Cello Concerto no.6 in D major, G479: III. Allegro. Anner Bylsma, vlc. Concerto Amsterdam.

Frankenstein (1818)
Schubert: 3 Marches Militaires op. 51, D733: no.1. Daniel Barenboim & Radu Lupu, pno.

Segue
Bach: Toccata in D minor (opening). E Power Biggs, organ.

Jack the Ripper (1888)
– Grieg: Peer Gynt suite no.1 op.46: In the Hall of the Mountain King. Concertgebouw Orchestra/ Jean Fournet.
– Debussy: Arabesque no.1: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, pno.

Sweeney Todd (1846)
Chopin: Cello sonata in G minor, op.65: III. Largo. Pierre Fournier, vlc. Jean Fonda, pno.

Psycho film (1960)
Bernard Hermann: Psycho Theme. Unnamed ensemble.

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QOTN : More Queen of the Night Classics

Margaret — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 07:32:41 +0000

A few birthdays, a successful life and working partnership, entirely beautiful music. Chill!

Playlist: 25 October 2020

– Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, op.23: II. Andantino Semplice. Tedd Joselson, pno. Philadelphia Orchestra/ Eugene Ormandy.
– Britten: O Waly Waly. Peter Pears, ten. Benjamin Britten, pno.
– Strauss II: Herzenslust, op.3 Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra/ Zubin Mehta.
– Gretchaninov: Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom: The Lords Prayer.
– Debussy (arr. Gretchaninov): Beau Soir. Lynn Harrell, vlc.
– Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, op.23: First movement (opening). Tedd Joselson, pno. Philadelphia Orchestra/ Eugene Ormandy.
– Bizet: Carmen: Flower Song “La fleur que tu m’avais jetee. Mario Lanza, ten.
– Beethoven: Bundeslied. London Symphony Orchestra & Chorus/ Michael Tilson-Thomas.
– Bruch: Concerto for clarinet and viola in E minor, op. 88: II. Allegro Moderato. Paul Meyer, clar. Gerard Causse, vla. Lyon Opera Orchestra/Kent Nagano.
– Stravinsky: Le Baiser de la Fee (The Fairy’s Kiss): Pas de deux (adagio). Orchestre de Paris/ Semyon Bychkov.

Photo : Younger and older – Benjamin Britten & Peter Pears

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