Immerse yourself in the world of 18th-century opera with Christoph Willibald Gluck's "Gluck: Opera Gala." This captivating collection, released on December 4, 2020, under the Orfeo label, showcases Gluck's mastery in the classical and opera genres. Spanning over two hours and thirty-three minutes, the album is a comprehensive journey through some of Gluck's most renowned works, including excerpts from "Alceste," "Iphigénie en Tauride," "Le cinesi," "Orfeo ed Euridice," "Paride ed Elena," and "Les pèlerins de la Mecque."
Gluck, a pioneering figure in opera reform, is known for his innovative approach to musical storytelling. This album offers a rich tapestry of his compositions, from overtures that set the stage for dramatic narratives to arias that bring characters to life with their emotional depth and vocal virtuosity. Highlights include the hauntingly beautiful "Dance of the Blessed Spirits" from "Orfeo ed Euridice" and the powerful "Che faro senza Euridice," a testament to Gluck's ability to convey profound human experiences through music.
"Gluck: Opera Gala" is not just a compilation of tracks but a celebration of Gluck's enduring legacy. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of opera, this album provides a compelling introduction to Gluck's contributions to the genre. The meticulous selection of excerpts ensures a diverse and engaging listening experience, showcasing Gluck's versatility and his enduring influence on classical music.
Alceste, Wq. 44 (Excerpts): Divinités du StyxChristoph Willibald Gluck, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Serge Baudo, Jessye Norman
Alceste, Wq. 44 (Excerpts): Vivez, aimez des joursChristoph Willibald Gluck, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Serge Baudo, Nicolai Gedda, Robert Gambill
Alceste, Wq. 44 (Excerpts): Parez vos fronts de fleurs nouvellesChristoph Willibald Gluck, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Serge Baudo, Jessye Norman
Alceste, Wq. 44 (Excerpts): Vivre sans toiChristoph Willibald Gluck, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Serge Baudo, Nicolai Gedda, Jessye Norman
Alceste, Wq. 44 (Excerpts): Recois, Dieu bienfaisantChristoph Willibald Gluck, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Serge Baudo, Nicolai Gedda, Jessye Norman
Alceste, Wq. 44 (Excerpts): A mes amisChristoph Willibald Gluck, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Serge Baudo, Nicolai Gedda, Jessye Norman
Iphigénie en Tauride, Wq. 46 (Excerpts): Des noirs pressentimentsChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Iphigénie en Tauride, Wq. 46 (Excerpts): Patrie infortunéeChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Pilar Lorengar
Iphigénie en Tauride, Wq. 46 (Excerpts): Et tu prétends encoreChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Franco Bonisolli, Walton Groenroos
Iphigénie en Tauride, Wq. 46 (Excerpts): Divinité de grandes âmesChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Franco Bonisolli
Iphigénie en Tauride, Wq. 46 (Excerpts): Non, cet affreux devoirChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Pilar Lorengar
Iphigénie en Tauride, Wq. 46 (Excerpts): O Diane, sois-nous propiceChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Bavarian Radio Chorus
Iphigénie en Tauride, Wq. 46 (Excerpts): Les Dieux longtemps en courrouxChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Bavarian Radio Chorus
Le cinesi, Wq. 18 (Excerpts): Son lungi e non mi bramiChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Thomas Moser
Le cinesi, Wq. 18 (Excerpts): Voli il piede in lieti giriChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Lamberto Gardelli, Kaaren Erickson, Alexandrina Milcheva, Marga Schiml, Thomas Moser
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): OvertureChristoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): Ah, se intorno a quest'urna funestraChristoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Kölner Rundfunkchor
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): Chiamo il mio ben cosìChristoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): Gli sguardi trattieniChristoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner, Ruth-Margret Putz
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): Dance of the Blessed SpiritsChristoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): Vieni appange il tuo consorteChristoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner, Elisabeth Söderström, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): Che fiero momentoChristoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner, Elisabeth Söderström
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): Che faro senza Euridice?Christoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 (Excerpts): Trionfi amoreChristoph Willibald Gluck, Cappella Coloniensis, Ferdinand Leitner, Elisabeth Söderström, Ruth-Margret Putz, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Kölner Rundfunkchor
Paride ed Elena, Wq. 39 (Excerpts): OvertureChristoph Willibald Gluck, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Anthony Spiri, Lothar Zagrosek
Paride ed Elena, Wq. 39 (Excerpts): Non sdegnare, o bella VenereChristoph Willibald Gluck, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Anthony Spiri, Lothar Zagrosek, Anne Tedards, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Chor des Osterreichischen Rundfunks
Paride ed Elena, Wq. 39 (Excerpts): O del mio dolce ardorChristoph Willibald Gluck, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Anthony Spiri, Lothar Zagrosek, Franco Bonisolli
Paride ed Elena, Wq. 39 (Excerpts): Nell'idea ch'ei volge in menteChristoph Willibald Gluck, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Anthony Spiri, Lothar Zagrosek, Sylvia Greenberg
Paride ed Elena, Wq. 39 (Excerpts): Fingere piu non soChristoph Willibald Gluck, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Anthony Spiri, Lothar Zagrosek, Ileana Cotrubas, Franco Bonisolli
Paride ed Elena, Wq. 39 (Excerpts): Donzelle semplice, no, non credeteChristoph Willibald Gluck, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Anthony Spiri, Lothar Zagrosek, Ileana Cotrubas
Paride ed Elena, Wq. 39 (Excerpts): Va coll amata in senoChristoph Willibald Gluck, Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Anthony Spiri, Lothar Zagrosek, Gabriele Fontana, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Chor des Osterreichischen Rundfunks
Les pèlerins de la Mecque Wq. 32 (Excerpts): OvertureChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Leopold Hager
Les pèlerins de la Mecque Wq. 32 (Excerpts): Les hommes pieusement pour CatonChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Leopold Hager, Jan-Hendrick Rootering
Les pèlerins de la Mecque Wq. 32 (Excerpts): Jusqu'au moment qui m'otera le jourChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Leopold Hager, Robert Gambill
Les pèlerins de la Mecque Wq. 32 (Excerpts): Ah, je suis en transeChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Leopold Hager, Iris Vermillion, Julie Kaufmann, Robrt Gambill, Annegeer Stumphius, Anna-Maria Rodde
Les pèlerins de la Mecque Wq. 32 (Excerpts): Maître de cœursChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Leopold Hager, Julie Kaufmann
Les pèlerins de la Mecque Wq. 32 (Excerpts): Qu'il est doux de partager ses chainesChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Leopold Hager, Julie Kaufmann, Robert Gambill
Les pèlerins de la Mecque Wq. 32 (Excerpts): Cessons de repandre des larmesChristoph Willibald Gluck, Munich Radio Orchestra, Leopold Hager, Julie Kaufmann, Anna-Marie Rodde, Annegeer Stumphius, Robert Gambill, Claes-Håkan Ahnsjö, Ulrich Ress