Immerse yourself in the rich, dramatic world of Kurt Weill's "Street Scene," a captivating opera that brings to life the vibrant and complex tapestry of urban life. Released on July 18, 1991, under Decca Music Group Ltd., this album is a testament to Weill's genius, blending operatic grandeur with the grit and authenticity of street-level storytelling. Spanning a substantial 2 hours and 28 minutes, the opera is a sweeping narrative that unfolds through a series of intricate scenes and arias, each one more compelling than the last.
"Street Scene" is a masterclass in operatic composition, featuring a diverse array of musical styles that range from bluesy, jazzy numbers to tender, heart-wrenching arias. The album's tracklist is a journey through the lives of its characters, each song revealing new layers of their stories. From the playful "Ice-Cream Sextet" to the poignant "Lonely House," Weill's music is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
The opera's setting is a bustling tenement neighborhood, where the lives of its inhabitants intersect in moments of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Weill's score is a perfect complement to the libretto by Langston Hughes and Alan Lerner, capturing the essence of urban life with a blend of realism and poetic lyricism. The music is as much a character in the story as the people themselves, enhancing the drama and adding depth to the narrative.
Kurt Weill, known for his innovative approach to opera and musical theater, brings his signature style to "Street Scene." His ability to merge high art with popular culture is evident in every note, making this opera accessible yet profound. The album is a must-listen for fans of opera, musical theater, and anyone who appreciates a rich, multi-layered musical experience. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or new to the genre, "Street Scene" offers a compelling and unforgettable journey into the heart of urban life.
Street Scene, Act I: No. 1a, IntroductionKurt Weill, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 1b, Ain't it Awful, the Heat?Kurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Meriel Dickinson, Fiona Kimm, Emile Belcourt, David Morrison, David Marsh, Blythe Duff, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 2, Blues. I Got a Marble and a StarKurt Weill, Meriel Dickinson, Ben Holt (1955-1990); Bruce Hubbard, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 3a, Scene. Come in, Come inKurt Weill, Josephine Barstow, Elaine MacKillop, Meriel Dickinson, Fiona Kimm, Ryan McBride, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 3b, Trio. Get a Load of ThatKurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Josephine Barstow, Fiona Kimm, Meriel Dickinson, Jerry Hadley, David Kübler, David Morrison, David Marsh, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 4, Arietta. When a Woman Has a BabyKurt Weill, Josephine Barstow, Elaine MacKillop, Meriel Dickinson, Fiona Kimm, David Kübler, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 5a, SceneKurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Josephine Barstow, Meriel Dickinson, Fiona Kimm, David Morrison, Samuel Ramey, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 5b, Aria. Somehow I Never Could BelieveKurt Weill, Josephine Barstow, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 6a, SceneKurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Josephine Barstow, Meriel Dickinson, Fiona Kimm, Tom McVeigh, David Morrison, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 6b, QuartetKurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Fiona Kimm, Meriel Dickinson, Anthony Mee, David Morrison, David Marsh, Samuel Ramey, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 7, Ice-Cream SextetKurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Josephine Barstow, Meriel Dickinson, Fiona Kimm, Anthony Mee, Emile Belcourt, David Morrison, Ben Holt (1955-1990); Bruce Hubbard, David Marsh, Samuel Ramey, Blythe Duff, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 8, Aria. Let Things Be Like They Always WasKurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Meriel Dickinson, Anthony Mee, David Morrison, Samuel Ramey, David Marsh, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 9a, Scene and Song. Hail to the SchoolKurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Josephine Barstow, Barbara Bonney, Gillian Taylor, Meriel Dickinson, David Morrison, David Marsh, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 9b, Ensemble. Wrapped in a RibbonKurt Weill, Barbara Bonney, Josephine Barstow, Elaine MacKillop, Jane Betsworth, Anne McClellan-Scott, Gillian Taylor, Meriel Dickinson, Fiona Kimm, Jerry Hadley, Tom McVeigh, Anthony Mee, David Kübler, David Morrison, Ben Holt (1955-1990); Bruce Hubbard, Samuel Ramey, David Marsh, Ryan McBride, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri, Stephanie Minelly, Hazel Hiram, James Differ
Street Scene, Act I: No. 10, Arioso. Lonely House"Kurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Elaine MacKillop, Fiona Kimm, Jerry Hadley, Kurt Ollmann, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 11, Scene and Song. Wouldn't You Like to BeKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Meriel Dickinson, Kurt Ollmann, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 12, Cavatina and Scene. What Good Would the Moon BeKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, David Kübler, Kurt Ollmann, Samuel Ramey, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 13, Song, Scene and Dance. Moon-faced, Starry EyedKurt Weill, Mary Munger, Philip Gould, Angelina Reaux, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 14a, Duet. Remember That I CareKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Meriel Dickinson, David Kübler, Jerry Hadley, Matthew Costello, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act I: No. 14b, FinalettoKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, David Kübler, Jerry Hadley, Ben Holt (1955-1990); Bruce Hubbard, Samuel Ramey, Malcolm Aitken, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act II: No. 15a, IntroductionKurt Weill, Philip Gould, Mary Munger, David Kübler, Malcolm Aitken, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act II: No. 15b, Children's Game. Catch Me if You CanKurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Josephine Barstow, Angelina Reaux, Meriel Dickinson, Jerry Hadley, Emile Belcourt, Anthony Mee, David Kübler, Samuel Ramey, Blythe Duff, Ryan McBride, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri, Hazel Hiram, Stephanie Minelly, James Differ
Street Scene, Act II: No. 16, Scene and Trio. There'll Be TroubleKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Josephine Barstow, David Morrison, Samuel Ramey, Ryan McBride, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act II: No. 17, Song. A Boy Like YouKurt Weill, Josephine Barstow, Angelina Reaux, Jerry Hadley, Blythe Duff, Ryan McBride, Matthew Costello, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act II: No. 18a, Duet. We'll Go Away TogetherKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Jerry Hadley, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act II: No. 18b, SceneKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Josephine Barstow, Meriel Dickinson, Jerry Hadley, David Kübler, Tom McVeigh, Ben Holt (1955-1990); Bruce Hubbard, Kurt Ollmann, Samuel Ramey, David Marsh, Ian McKinven, Roberto Cecere, John Mauceri, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Street Scene, Act II: No. 19a, Choral Scene and Lament. The Woman Who Lived UpKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Josephine Barstow, Meriel Dickinson, Jerry Hadley, Ian McKinven, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act II: No. 19b, InterludeKurt Weill, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act II: No. 20, Lullaby. Sleep, Baby DearKurt Weill, Arleen Auger, Della Jones, John Mauceri, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Street Scene, Act II: No. 21, SceneKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Elaine MacKillop, Meriel Dickinson, Jerry Hadley, David Kübler, Ben Holt (1955-1990); Bruce Hubbard, David Marsh, Samuel Ramey, Blythe Duff, John Mauceri, Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Street Scene, Act II: No. 22a, Ensemble. I Loved Her TooKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Samuel Ramey, John Mauceri, Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Street Scene, Act II: No. 22b, Duet. Remember That I CareKurt Weill, Angelina Reaux, Fiona Kimm, Meriel Dickinson, Jerry Hadley, Emile Belcourt, Blythe Duff, Scottish Opera Chorus, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
Street Scene, Act II: No. 22c, Ain't it Awful, the Heat?"Kurt Weill, Elaine MacKillop, Fiona Kimm, Meriel Dickinson, Emile Belcourt, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, John Mauceri
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