1826
In Spain the Inquisition had been ended by the Revolution in 1820 that had overthrown King Ferdinand VII, but with Ferdinand's return it is revived. A Jew is burned at the stake, also a Spanish Quaker schoolmaster who replaced "Hail Mary" with "Praise be to God" in school prayer. It has been described as the last of such executions • Fenimore Cooper (US) - The Last of the Mohicans
1827
Britain, Russia and France break with Austria regarding the Greek war of independence – Austria still feeling threatened by any revolt against empire while the Russians want to protect their fellow Orthodox Christians. Egypt, a part of the Ottoman Empire, is helping the Turks, but a combined British, French and Russian fleet sink an Egyptian and Turkish fleet at Navarino Bay, on the west coast of the Peloponnesian Peninsula. This weakens Ottoman power in Greece and in Arabia • In Vienna, Austria, over 10,000 mourners attend the burial of Beethoven • New York passes a state law emancipating slaves • Eugène Delacroix - The Death of Sardanapalus
1828
Black War in Tasmania leads to the near extinction of the Tasmanian aborigines
1829
In London, parliament extends tolerance, passing the Catholic Emancipation Bill, making it possible for Catholics to hold public office • The Treaty of Adrianople ends war between Russia and the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire grants Greece independence. Russian authority in Georgia is recognized. The Russians are allowed access through the narrow straits from the Black Sea to the Aegean Sea. Autonomy is extended to Serbia and to the Romanians of Moldavia and Walachia, under Russian protection •
Scotch tape is invented • Mexico abolishes slavery in its territories, hoping to discourage migration into Texas from the United States
1830
With China's great population growth, unemployment has risen and there has been a shortage of land, creating peasant unrest. China is still the leader in manufacturing output (real rather than per capita), but its share is slipping from 32.8 percent in 1750 to 29.8 percent. India's share since 1750 has fallen from 24.5 percent to 17.6 percent. Britain, with a fraction of the population of either China or India, has increased its share in this period from 1.9 to 4.3 percent. The US share is 2.4 percent • Businessmen and common people loathe Charles X, who has returned to absolutism, including dissolving parliament. The barricades go up in the streets of Paris. Charles X is frightened and rather than fight goes into exile, back to Britain. Parliament returns, creates a constitutional monarchy and elects a new king, Louis-Philippe • 1830 The first railway station opens in the United States – in Baltimore Maryland • President Andrew Jackson signs the Indian Removal Act, which rips the Cherokee and other eastern tribes from their homes and banishes them to areas west of the Mississippi River • A Frenchman patents a sewing machine • Simón Bolivar dies disappointed and regretting that Spain did not allow people in its American colonies to develop self-government within a framework of institutions as had Britain with its colonists.

James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789 – September 14, 1851) was an American writer of the first half of the 19th century. His historical romances draw a picture of frontier and American Indian life in the early American days which created a unique form of American literature.
1826
Louis Spohr - Die letzten Dinge
Louis Spohr - Die letzten Dinge,
oratorio in two parts, first performance 1826, Kassel.
Libretto: Friedrich Rochlitz after the Bible
Ouverture (Andante grave - Allegro) 00:00
ANBETUNG UND MAHNUNG
Chorus & Recitative: Preis und Ehre ihm, der da ist 07:42
Aria & Recitative: Steige herauf, ich will dir zeigen, was geschehen soll! 14:47
Aria & Chorus: Heilg, heilig, heilig ist Gott der Herr 16:21
DAS ERLÖSUNGSWERK CHRISTI
Recitative: Und siehe, ein Lamm, das war verwundet 18:12
Recitative: Weine nicht! Es hat uberwunden der Lowe 19:10
Recitative: Und die Altesten fielen nieder vor dem Lamm 20:06
Soprano & Chorus: Das Lamm, der erwurget ist, ist wurdig zu nehmen Kraft 20.26
Recitative: Und alle Kreatur, die im Himmel ist 22:35
Tenor & Chorus: Betet an! 22:54
Recitative: Und siehe, eine grosse Schar 26:15
Soli & Chorus: Heil! Dem Erbarmer Heil 29:10
Part II
Sinfonia 33:31
VERBOTEN DES JÜNGSTEN GERICHTS
Arioso & Recitative: So spricht der Herr 41:22
Duett: Sei mir nicht schrecklich in der Not 46:47
Chorus: So ihr mich von ganzem Herzen suchet 51:54
DAS ENDGERICHT ÜBER LEBENDE UND TOTE
Recitative: Die Stunde des Gerichts, sie ist gekommen 54:19
Chorus & Solo: Gefallen ist Babylon, die Grosse 55:13
Soli & Chorus: Selig sind die Toten, die in dem Herren sterben 01:00:56
DIE NEUE WELT GOTTES
Recitative: Sieh einem neuen Himmel und eine neue Erde 01:05:09
Recitative & Solo-Quartetto: Und siehe Ich komme bald 01:07:11
Soli & Chorus: Gross und wunderbarlich sind deine Werke 01:08:15
Soprano: Anna Korondi
Alto: Vanessa Barkowski
Tenor: Jörg Dürmüller
Bass: Vladimir Baykov
Chorus: Chorwerk Ruhr
Orchestra: Capella Coloniensis - Conductor: Bruno Weil

Franz Schubert: Symphony no. 9 in C major "Great";
String Quartet no. 15 in G major;
Piano Sonata no. 18 in G major "Fantasie"
Schubert-Symphony no. 9 in C Major D. 944 "The Great"
London Symphony Orchestra-Josef Krips-conductor-1958-1. Andante-Allegro ma non troppo-2.Andante con moto-3. Scherzo: Allegro vivace-4. Allegro vivace
Schubert - String Quartet No. 15 in G major, D. 887
I. Allegro molto moderato: 00:02
II. Andante un poco moto: 15:14
III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace – Trio: Allegretto: 27:23
IV. Allegro assai: 34:08
Emerson String Quartet
Franz Schubert - Piano Sonata/Fantasie No.18 in G, D.894, Op.78
Sviatoslav Richter (1915-1997), piano
00:00 1st movement-Fantasie - Part1: exposition-beginning
07:40 1st movement-Fantasie - Part1: exposition-reprise
14:58 1st movement-Fantasie - Part2: development, recapitulation
25:31 2nd movement-Andante
33:17 3rd movement-Menuetto with Trio
37:40 4rd movement-Allegretto-First time
45:18 Clapping
46:51 4rd movement-Allegretto-Encore (bonus)
54:32 Clapping
Ludwig van Beethoven - String Quartet No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 131
Ludwig van Beethoven - String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 131
- Performers: Takács Quartet, 2003
00:00 - 1. Adagio ma non troppo e molto espressivo
08:03 - 2. Allegro molto vivace
11:00 - 3. Allegro moderato
11:43 - 4. Andante ma non troppo e molto cantabile
25:10 - 5. Presto
30:12 - 6. Adagio quasi un poco andante
32:30 - 7. Allegro
Franz Liszt – Étude en douze exercices
Franz Liszt - Étude en 12 Exercices S. 136
• Allegro con fuoco 0:00
• Allegro non molto 0:59
• Allegro sempre legato 2:14
• Allegretto 4:57
• Moderato 5:53
• Molto agitato 8:17
• Allegretto con molta espressione 9:24
• Allegro con spirito 11:05
• Allegro grazioso 12:55
• Moderato 16:56
• Allegro grazioso 18:47
• Allegro non troppo 21:39
Amaral Vieira, piano
Felix Mendelssohn – "A Midsummer Night's Dream" in E major for orchestra, op. 21
Felix Mendelssohn composed music for William Shakespeare's play, A Midsummer Night's Dream. First in 1826, near the start of his career, he wrote a concert overture (Op. 21). Later, in 1842, only a few years before his death, he wrote incidental music (Op. 61) for a production of the play, into which he incorporated the existing Overture. The incidental music includes the world-famous Wedding March. The German title reads Ein Sommernachtstraum.
Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night's Dream,
Op. 21 & 61
1. 1. Overture
2. Scherzo
3. Intermezzo
4. Nocturne
5. Wedding March
Published on May 26, 2013
Mecsek Women's Choir
Chorus master: Attila Kertész
Johanna Nagy, Lemja Amer
Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra
András Vass
Kodály Centre, Pécs, 2013

Ferdinand Hérold - Almédon ou le monde renversé (Marie)
Ferdinand Hérold - Almédon ou le monde renversé (Marie)
I. Ouverture
II. Couplets de Colin et Lisette (Barcarolle) - 00:07:15
III. Romance d'Adolphe (Je pars demain) - 00:11:42
IV. Air d'Emilie - 00:13:56
V. Entr'acte - 00:19:04
VI. Duo d'Emilie et de Henri - 00:20:33
VII. Duo de Marie et d'Adolphe - 00:26:37
VIII. Couplets de Lubin (Sur la Rivière) - 00:28:41
IX. Air de Suzette - 00:30:21
Marie, opéra-comique en 3 actes, paroles de Planard, représenté pour la première fois à l'Opéra-Comique.
7 January
Gaetano Donizetti – Alahor in Granata
Alahor in Granata is an opera in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti to an anonymous Italian libretto after Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian's text Gonzalve de Cordoue, ou Granade reconquise (1793). However, it seems that the original basis of the libretto goes back to one by Felice Romani written for Meyerbeer in 1821, which in turn can be traced back through another iteration to begin with the de Florian version.
While Donizetti was spending most of 1825/26 in Palermo as musical director of the Teatro Carolino, Alahor in Granata was written to be presented in December 1825, but the premiere was delayed until 7 January 1826 and given at the Teatro Carolino with critical and popular success.
Gaetano Donizetti – Alahor in Granata
Alahor - Simone Alaimo
Zobeida - Patrizia Pace
Hassem - Vivica Genaux
Alamar - Juan Diego Florez
Sulima - Soraya Chaves
Ismaele - Ruben Amoretti
Conductor - Josep Pons - Orquesta Ciudad de Granada Chorus - Coro del Teatro de la Maestranza de Sevilla
17 January
Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, composer, diesd, aged 20

12 April
Carl Maria von Weber – Oberon, King of the Fairies (first performed in London, libretto by James Robinson Planche).
30 May
Vincenzo Bellini – Bianca e Fernando
Bianca e Fernando (Bianca and Fernando) is an opera in two acts. The original version of this opera was presented as Bianca e Gernando and was set to a libretto by Domenico Gilardoni, based on Bianca e Fernando alla tomba di Carlo IV, duca di Agrigento (Bianca and Ferdinand at the Tomb of Charles IV, Duke of Agrigento), a play by Carlo Roti which is set in Sicily.
Vincenzo Bellini - Bianca e Fernando
Bianca: Yasuko Hayashi -
Fernando: Antonio Savastano -
Filippo: Enrico Fissore
Carlo: Mario Macchi -
Viscardo: Pietro Tarantino -
Eloisa: Maria Gabriella Onesti
Clemente: Eftimios Michalopoulos -
Uggero: Ignazio del Monaco
Orchestra e coro della Rai di Torino
Direttore Gabriele Ferro, 1976
Synopsis
Place: Agrigento
Late 14th/15th century
The ambitious Filippo has secretly imprisoned Carlo, Duke of Agrigento and usurped his throne. Carlo's son Fernando was accordingly forced into exile although he was still only a child. Carlo's daughter, Bianca, the widow of the Duke of Messina, unaware of Filippo's plots agrees to become his wife. Fernando, now an adult, returns home with a desire to avenge his father, who he thinks is dead.
Act 1
Using a false name and pretending to be a soldier of fortune, Fernando comes to the palace of Agrigento and offers his services to the new Duke. He convinces Viscardo, a follower of Filippo, that he saw Fernando die and Filippo receives this news with joy. He hires Fernando without hesitation, thinking of entrusting the task of killing Carlo to him.
Bianca comes to the palace to meet her prospective bridegroom. Here she meets Fernando, but after so many years, she does not recognize him. Indeed, she suspects him. Fernando, for his part, is convinced that his sister is an accomplice of the usurper.
Act 2
Filippo orders Fernando go to the prison to kill Carlo. At the same time, he announces his approaching wedding to Bianca. The old and trusted henchman of Fernando, Clemente, informs Bianca that Fernando wants to see her and brother and sister finally meet face to face. But when they recognize each other, Fernando tells Bianca of Filippo's plots. Together, they go to the prison to free Carlo, followed by Fernando's companions in arms. Filippo also arrives at the palace, bringing with him Bianca's infant son whom he threatens to kill if Fernando will not give himself up. But the trusty Clemente disarms him, and the tyrant is finally ousted.
5 June
Carl Maria von Weber, composer, dies, aged 40

22 June
Gioacchino Rossini – Adina
Adina is an operatic farsa in one act by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Marchese Gherardo Bevilacqua-Aldobrandini. The première took place on 22 June 1826 at the Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, Lisbon.
Rossini - "Adina"
Direttore: Yves Abel -
Adina: Alexandrina Pendatchasnka -
Califfo: Pietro Spagnoli -
Selimo: Antonino Siragusa -
Mustafà: Roberto De Candia -
Alì: Massimo Giordano - Pesaro, 1999
6 July
Gaetano Donizetti – Elvida
Elvida is a melodramma or opera in one act by Gaetano Donizetti. Giovanni Schmidt wrote the Italian libretto.
Gaetano Donizetti - Elvida
Elvida - Annick Massis
Amur - Pietro Spagnoli
Alfonso - Bruce Ford
Zeidar - Jennifer Larmore
Ramiro - Ashley Catling
Zulma - Anne-Marie Gibbons
London Philharmonic Orchestra - Antonello Allemandi
Synopsis
Place: A fortified town in the Emirate of Granada.
Time: The late fifteenth century.
Scene 1
During the struggle for control of southern Spain, Elvida, a noble Castilian lady, has been captured by the Moors. For two months she has been held prisoner by Amur in one of the last remaining Moorish strongholds. However, Spanish troops led by Elvida’s fiancé, Alfonso, are now advancing on the town.
Amur wants to have Elvida put to death, rather than allow her to be saved by Alfonso’s troops. However, Amur’s son, Zeidar, has fallen in love with their beautiful captive and begs his father to give her up to the approaching Spanish, if only to save the town from destruction. Zeidar pleads with Elvida to marry him, but she contemptuously rejects both his advances and his father’s threats. The Moors murdered her father, and Elvida longs for retribution. She is led away to a hidden dungeon.
The Castilian army is now at the gates of the town, Amur recognizes that further resistance is hopeless, but knowing that Moorish reinforcements are close at hand, he is determined to make his escape through a secret passage, taking Zeidar with him.
Scene 2
Alfonso enters in triumph at the head of his troops. Although he is disappointed that Amur and Zeidar have apparently escaped, he is more concerned for the safety of Elvida. One of Amur’s slaves offers to lead him to the cavern where Elvida is being held captive.
Scene 3
Amur intends to use Elvira as a hostage to aid his escape with Zeidar. The two men enter the cavern in which she is imprisoned and try to force her to come with them. Elvida is defiant, and before they can drag her away, Spanish troops burst in. Amur draws his dagger with the intention of killing Elvida, but Zeidar seizes his arm and the troops are able to overpower him.
Amur curses his son for his betrayal, and at that moment word arrives that the Moorish reinforcements have been routed. In a magnanimous gesture Alfonso grants Zeidar his freedom and agrees to spare Amur’s life. There is general rejoicing as Alfonso announces his marriage to Elvida will take place on the following morning.
9 October
Gioacchino Rossini – Le Siege de Corinte
Le siège de Corinthe (The Siege of Corinth) is an opera in three acts by Gioachino Rossini set to a French libretto by Luigi Balocchi and Alexandre Soumet.
Rossini - L'Assedio di Corintoi - 1966
Cleomene - Angelo Lo Forese ( Loforese )
Pamira - Marcella De Osma
Neocle - Franco Bonisolli
Maometto secondo - Mario Petri
Jero - Franco Ventriglia
Conductor - Nicola Rescigno
Orchestra - Mailand RAI
31 October
Muzio Clementi – Complete Gradus ad Parnassum (100 pieces) appears for the first time, simultaneously in Paris, Leipzig and London on October 31.
Muzio Clementi - Suite de cinq pièces Op.44 n.37-41 (Gradus ad Parnassum, 1817/1826)
I. Preludio: Allegro (0:01)
II. Allegro moderato (1:46)
III. Scena patetica: Adagio con grand'espressione (10:01)
IV. Fuga: Tempo moderato (22:09)
V. Finale: Allegro vivace (26:32)
Pianoforte: Alessandro Marangoni
Clementi – 7 Studi dal “Gradus ad Parnassum” op. 44:
33. Canone (Moderato), in do maggiore
40. Fuga (Tempo moderato), in fa maggiore (02:08)
43. Fuga (Moderato), in fa minore (05:54)
45. Introduzione e fuga (Andante malinconico - Allegro moderato), in do minore (10:15)
54. Fuga a due soggetti (Tempo giusto), in re minore (16:34)
56. Adagio patetico, in si bemolle minore (20:14)
57. Fuga (Moderato), in si bemolle maggiore (21:54)
Vincenzo Vitale, piano
Clementi – 6 Studi dal “Gradus ad Parnassum” op. 44
1. Veloce, in do maggiore, op. 44 n. 16
2- Veloce, in do maggiore, op. 44 n. 17 (01:40)
3. Allegro, in re maggiore, op. 44 n. 20 (03:20)
4. Presto, in fa diesis, op. 44 n. 24 (04:30)
5. Allegro, in do maggiore op. 44 n. 32 (06:37)
6. Presto ma non troppo, in la maggiore, op. 44 n. 36 (08:40)
Vincenzo Balzani, pianoforte
Clementi– 4 Studi dal “Gradus ad Parnassum” op. 44
1. Studio op. 44 n. 2, Allegrissimo in fa maggiore
2. Studio op. 44 n. 3, Vivacissimo in fa maggiore (01:24)
3. Studio op. 44 n. 5, Andante, quasi allegretto, con espressione, in si bemolle maggiore (02:20)
4. Studio op. 44 n. 12, Allegro (Preludio) in do maggiore (04:26)
Vincenzo Balzani, pianoforte
1827
The French composer Hector Berlioz made four attempts at winning the Prix de Rome music prize, finally succeeding in 1830.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort d'Orphée
La Mort d'Orphée (The Death of Orpheus) (1827), text by Berton. For tenor, chorus and orchestra. Berlioz's result: failed.
Hector Berlioz – Herminie
Herminie (Erminia) (1828), text by Pierre-Ange Vieillard. For soprano and orchestra. Result: second prize.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort de Cléopâtre
Cléopâtre (Cleopatra) (1829), text by Pierre-Ange Vieillard. For soprano and orchestra. Result: no first prize awarded.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort de Sardanapale
Sardanapale (Sardanapalus) (1830), text by Jean François Gail. For tenor, chorus and orchestra. Result: joint first prize.
Berlioz - La mort d’Orphée (H. 25)
Daniel Galvez-Vallejo -tenor
Jean-Claude Casadesus -conductro
Lille National Orchestra
Frederic Chopin – Variations on "Là ci darem la mano" Op. 2
Chopin - Variations in B-flat on "Là ci darem la mano" from Mozart's "Don Giovanni" for piano and orchestra, Op. 2
London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Eliahu Inbal.
Claudio Arrau (piano)
I. Introduction: Largo - Poco piu mosso
II. Thema: Allegretto
III. Variation 1: Brillante
IV. Variation 2: Veloce, ma accuratamente
V. Variation 3: Sempre sostenuto
VI. Variation 4: Con bravura
VII. Variation 5: Adagio
VIII. Coda: Alla Polacca
13 May
Gaetano Donizetti – Gli esiliati in Siberia
Otto mesi in due ore ossia Gli esiliati in Siberia (Eight Months in Two Hours or The Exiles in Siberia) is an opera in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti to a libretto by Domenico Gilardoni.
Gaetano Donizetti - Gli esiliati in Siberia 1_2
B. Hahn, L. Canonici, A. Antoniozzi, V. Ivanov
Orchestre National de Montpellier Languedouc-Roussillon, direzione: Enrique Diemecke, 1999
Gaetano Donizetti - Gli esiliati in Siberia 2_2
Synopsis
Act 1 Saimika, Siberia
Having been wrongly exiled, Count Stanislao Potoski, his wife, Countess Fedora, and their daughter, Elisabetta, are living in a ramshackle dwelling attached to an abbey. Elisabetta vows to undertake an arduous journey on foot to Moscow to seek a pardon from the Tsar.
Act 2 The shores of the Kama River
Elisabetta is befriended by Tartar hordes, who had initially threatened her but were won over by her innocence and virtue. She also meets Ivano, the man responsible for her parents' exile, who is now working as a ferryman at the river. When the river floods, Elisabetta saves herself by making a raft from the wooden tomb of Ivano's dead daughter.
Act 3 A grand chamber in the Kremlin
The Grand Marshal, who is also partly responsible for the Potoski family's exile, tries to cause trouble for Elisabetta. Nevertheless, she manages to reach the Tsar, who in the meantime has received a letter from his messenger Michele (a friend of Elisabetta and the son of her nurse) explaining the injustice of their exile. The Tsar pardons the whole family who are then reunited in Moscow.
20 August
Josef Strauss, composer, born.
Franz Schubert:
Winterreise (song cycle)
Piano Trio No. 1
Piano Trio No. 2
Impromptus, D.899 and D.935
Phantasie for violin and piano in C major, D.934
Franz Schubert - Winterreise
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone), Gerald Moore (piano), 1962
Winterreise (Winter Journey), song cycle for voice and piano, D. 911 (published as Op. 89 in 1828), a setting of 24 poems by Wilhelm Müller, written in 1827.
00:00:00 - 01. Gute Nacht
00:05:30 - 02. Die Wetterfahne
00:07:13 - 03. Gefror'ne Tränen
00:09:46 - 04. Erstarrung
00:12:42 - 05. Der Lindenbaum
00:17:15 - 06. Wasserflut
00:21:33 - 07. Auf dem Flusse
00:25:16 - 08. Rückblick
00:27:44 - 09. Irrlicht
00:30:17 - 10. Rast
00:33:18 - 11. Frühlingstraum
00:37:15 - 12. Einsamkeit
00:39:57 - 13. Die Post
00:42:14 - 14. Der greise Kopf
00:45:09 - 15. Die Krähe
00:47:14 - 16. Letzte Hoffnung
00:49:35 - 17. Im Dorfe
00:52:49 - 18. Der stürmische Morgen
00:53:42 - 19. Täuschung
00:55:14 - 20. Der Wegweiser
00:59:23 - 21. Das Wirtshaus
01:04:01 - 22. Mut!
01:05:26 - 23. Die Nebensonnen
01:08:07 - 24. Der Leiermann
Schubert - Piano Trio in B-flat major, D.898 (Op.99)
I. Allegro moderato
II. Andante un poco mosso (11:51)
III. Scherzo: Allegro (22:24)
IV. Rondo: Allegro vivace (28:48)
Eugen Istomin, piano
Isac Stern, violin
Leonard Rose, cello
recorded in 1964
Schubert - Piano Trio No. 2 in E-flat major, D. 929
Jean-Claude Pennetier (piano), Régis Pasquier (violin), Roland Pidoux (cello).
I. Allegro
II. Andante con moto
III. Scherzando
IV. Allegro moderato
Franz Schubert - 4 Impromptus D.899, Op.90 & 4 Impromptus D.935, Op. posth. 142, 1827
Maria João Pires, piano, Lisbon, Palácio de Queluz, 1996
00:00 | 4 Impromptus D.899, Op.90:
00:00 Impromptu No. 1 in C minor. Allegro molto moderato
11:05 Impromptu No. 2 in E flat major. Allegro
15:51 Impromptu No. 3 in G flat major. Andante
21:41 Impromptu No. 4 in A flat major. Allegretto
29:50 | 4 Impromptus D.935, Op. posth. 142:
29:50 Impromptu No. 1 in F minor. Allegro moderato
42:16 Impromptu No. 2 in A flat major. Allegretto
50:17 Impromptu No. 3 in B flat major. Theme. Andante - Variations
1:03:23 Impromptu No. 4 in F minor. Allegro scherzando
Schubert - Fantasie for violin and piano in C major D 934
Violin: Szymon Goldberg
Piano: Radu Lupu
27 October
Vincenzo Bellini – Il Pirata
Il pirata (The Pirate) is an opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini with an Italian libretto by Felice Romani which was based on a three-act mélodrame from 1826: Bertram, ou le Pirate (Bertram, or The Pirate) by Charles Nodier and Isidore Justin Séverin Taylor).
Vincenzo Bellini – Il Pirata
Imogene: Montserrat Caballé
Gualtiero: Flaviano Labò
Ernesto: Piero Cappuccilli
Orchestra and Chorus of the Florence May Festival
Conductor: Franco Capuana
Florence, June 13, 1967 (live)
Synopsis
Place: Sicily
Time: 13th century
Act 1
Scene 1: The seashore near Caldora Castle
On a stormy sea-shore, fishermen watch a ship foundering in a huge storm. They help the crew come ashore and among the survivors is Gualtiero, who recognises his old tutor Goffredo, now appearing dressed as a hermit. He explains that he has lost everything. Gualtiero tells him that, in spite of his hatred for his persecutor Ernesto, he drew strength from his continuing love for Imogene. (Aria: Nel furor delle tempeste / "In the fury of the storm / in the slaughter of a pirate's life / that adored image appears in my thoughts"). When the fishermen arrive to inform both men that the noble lady who lives close by is coming to help the shipwrecked men, Gualtiero is urged to hide himself since he will be alone among enemies. He enters Goffredo's hut.
It is Imogene who arrives to offer hospitality to the shipwrecked strangers, but Gualtiero does not reveal himself. She tells her companion Adele that she dreamed that he had been killed by her husband. (Aria: Lo sognai ferito, esangue / "My duty is the compassion / that sends me to the aid of strangers"). From what Itulbo has told her about the pirate ship, she assumes that he is dead. When he comes out of the hut, Gualtiero recognises her, but the hermit makes him re-enter. Imogene is urged to return to the castle, but to herself, she imagines that she sees Gualtiero everywhere she looks. (Aria: Sventurata, anch'io deliro / "Hapless one, I too am delirious / obsessed by a vain love").
Scene 2: The Castle terrace at night
At night, Itulbo warns the strangers not to reveal that they are the pirates who have been pursued by Ernesto. Meanwhile, Imogene is strangely fascinated by the mysterious stranger who enters covered in a cloak. He soon reveals to her who he really is. Gualtiero learns that she had married Ernesto only because he had threatened her father's life. (Extended duet, first Gualtiero: Pietosa al padre! e meco / eri si cruda intanto! / "Pity for your father! But you / were so cruel to me! / And I, deceived and blind, lived, / lived for you alone!"; then Imogene: Ah! qui d'un padre antico / tu non tremasti accanto / "Ah, you never trembled / for an aged father). When Imogene's ladies bring her son into the room, he is angry and almost removes his dagger from his belt, before handing the boy back. He then leaves.
Scene 3: The Castle grounds
Ernesto and his men celebrate victory over the pirates (Sì, vincemmo, e il pregio io sento / "Yes, we conquered and I feel proud of such a noble victory"), but he is annoyed that Imogene is not celebrating too. He asks her if she has found out who the shipwrecked men are, telling her that he expects to question the hermit and the man who is described by the hermit as their leader: Itulbo. Itulbo describes himself as being from Liguria and, upon questioning him, Ernesto recognises by his dress and accent that he is not from the local area. He continues to press Itulbo on the whereabouts of Gualtiero, knowing that pirates have come from Ligurian shores; he is reluctant to accept the group until they can provide greater proof of who they are. Meanwhile, they must remain as prisoners. Beginning with a duet, which initially includes Gualtiero, who declares his readiness to fight, Ernesto somewhat suspicious, Imogene and Adele in anguish, then the hermit (Goffredo) and the women, it extends to include all the principals who express their conflicting emotions, though the hermit manages to restrain Gualtiero from giving his identity away.
Act 2
Scene 1: The entrance to Imogene's apartments
Adele tells Imogene that Gualtiero wishes to see her before he leaves. She is reluctant, but she recognises that she must do it. As she is about to leave, Ernesto arrives and accuses Imogene of being unfaithful to him: (Ernesto, aria: Arresta / Ognor mi fuggi / "Stay! You continually avoid me! Now the time has come for me to have you at my side"; then duet.) She defends herself by saying that her continuing love for Gualtiero is based solely on her remembrance of their past encounters. Ernesto is inclined to take her word for it, but, when a message is delivered in which he is told that Gualtiero is being sheltered in his own castle, he is consumed by rage, demands to know where his enemy is, and then storms out. Imogene follows.
Scene 2: The Castle terrace
Gualtiero and Itulbo meet on the terrace at daybreak, the latter encouraging him to flee with all his men. But Gualtiero stands firm and, as Itulbo leaves, Imogene comes onto the terrace. She urges him to be brief, to leave immediately, but he tries to comfort her before they part (Aria: Per noi tranquillo un porto / l'immenso mare avrà / "For us the vast sea / will have a calm port") at the same time as he urges her to come with him to the safety of one of his two ships which have arrived. But she tries to leave, encouraging him to forgive and forget. Their acceptance of the situation alternates with passionate declarations of love, and Ernesto, arriving, conceals himself and overhears the end of their duet. As the couple part, Ernesto reveals himself, but Imogene rushes between them, trying to convince Gualtiero to flee. Defiant, he ignores her, proclaiming to Ernesto that his thirst for his blood has not diminished over ten years. The two men demand blood and, in a trio finale as they exit, they continue in this vein while Imogene pleads that they kill her. The two men depart to fight, and Imogene follows.
Scene 3: The courtyard of the Castle
A funeral march is heard as Ernesto's knights enter followed by Adele and the ladies. All grieve over Ernesto's death at the hands of "a traitor, a vile pirate". Gualtiero, to the amazement of Ernesto's retainers, gives himself up to the knights and, as he is taken away, he prays that Imogene may forgive him (Tu vedrai la sventurata / "You will see the unhappy lady / whom I caused so many tears / and tell her if I wronged her / I also knew how to avenge her"). She appears in a state of anguish and sees visions of her dead husband and her son (Col sorriso d'innocenza ... Oh sole, ti vela di tenebre oscure / "With the smile of innocence / with the glance of love / pray speak to your father of clemency and pardon"). Meanwhile, from the Council chamber, the Knights condemn Gualtiero to death and, as the scaffold is erected, Imogene is raving: (Finale: Oh, sole! ti vela / "Oh sun, veil yourself / in darkest gloom / hide the cruel axe / from my sight"). Her ladies lead Imogene from the courtyard.
26 March
Ludwig van Beethoven, composer, dies aged 57

19 November
Giovanni Pacini – Margherita regina d'Inghilterra
Margherita, regina d'Inghilterra; dramma per musica, da rappresentarsi nel Real Teatro di S. Carlo, a' 19. novembre 1827, ricorrendo il fausto giorno onomastico di Sua Maestà Maria Isabella, regina del regno delle due Sicilie.
Nelly Miricioiu sings the final aria of Maria Tudor in Maria Regina d'Inghilterra by Pacini
Josef Strauss
Josef Strauss (20 August 1827 – 22 July 1870) was an Austrian composer.
He was born in Mariahilf (now Vienna), the son of Johann Strauss I and Maria Anna Streim, and brother of Johann Strauss II and Eduard Strauss. His father wanted him to choose a career in the Austrian Habsburg military. He studied music with Franz Dolleschal and learned to play the violin with Franz Anton Ries.
He received training as an engineer, and worked for the city of Vienna as an engineer and designer. He designed a horse-drawn revolving brush street-sweeping vehicle and published two textbooks on mathematical subjects. Strauss had talents as an artist, painter, poet, dramatist, singer, composer and inventor.
He joined the family orchestra, along with his brothers, Johann Strauss II and Eduard Strauss in the 1850s. His first published work was called "Die Ersten und Letzten" (The First and the Last). When Johann became seriously ill in 1853 Josef led the orchestra for a while. The waltz-loving Viennese were appreciative of his early compositions so he decided to continue in the family tradition of composing dance music. He was known as 'Pepi' by his family and close friends, and Johann once said of him: "Pepi is the more gifted of us two; I am merely the more popular..."
Josef Strauss married Caroline Pruckmayer at the church of St. Johann Nepomuk in Vienna on 8 June 1857, and had one daughter, Karolina Anna, who was born on March 27, 1858.
Josef Strauss wrote 283 opus numbers. He wrote many waltzes, including: Sphären-Klänge (Music of the Spheres), Delirien (Deliriums), Transaktionen (Transactions), Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb' und Lust (My Character is Love and Joy), and Dorfschwalben aus Österreich (Village Swallows from Austria), polkas, most famously the Pizzicato Polka (It) with his brother Johann, quadrilles, and other dance music. The waltz The Mysterious Powers of Magnetism (Dynamiden) with the use of minor keys showed a quality that distinguished his waltzes from those of his more popular elder brother. The polka-mazurka shows influence by Strauss, where he wrote many examples like Die Emancipierte and Die Libelle.
Josef Strauss was sickly most of his life. He suffered fainting spells and intense headaches. During a tour in 1870, he fell unconscious from the conductor's podium in Warsaw, while conducting his 'Musical Potpourri', and hit his head. His wife brought him back home to Vienna, to the Hirschenhaus, where he died on 22 July 1870. A final diagnosis only reported a decomposition of blood. Originally buried in the St. Marx Cemetery, Strauss was later exhumed and reburied in the Vienna Central Cemetery, alongside his mother Anna.

Josef Strauss - Herbstrosen
Josef Strauss - Dorfschwalben aus Österreich - Walzer, op. 164
Josef Strauss - Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb' und Lust - Walzer, op. 263
Josef Strauss - Dynamiden, Walzer, Op. 173
New Year's Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic 2014
Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
Josef Strauss "Delirien Walz"
Joseph Strauss - Sphärenklänge (Walzer, op. 235)
1828
Franz Schubert:
Der Hirt auf dem Felsen;
Fantasia in F minor for piano four-hands;
Mass no. 6 in E-flat major;
String Quintet in C major, D. 956;
Schwanengesang;
Last three piano sonatas
Schubert - Der Hirt auf dem Felsen
Barbara Bonney, soprano
Sharon Kam, clarinette
Geoffrey Parsons, piano
Schubert - Fantasy in F minor for Piano Four Hands, D940
Maria Joāo Pires & Ricardo Castro
Franz Schubert - Mass No. 6 in E flat major, D 950
Live recording from the Münster in Zwiefalten, during the Festival "Herbstliche Musiktage" in Bad Urach, 1997.
NDR Symphony Orchestra
Sylvain Cambreling - conductor
Juliane Banse - soprano
Hermine May - altus
Deon van der Walt - tenor
Jonas Kaufmann - tenor
Hermann Prey - Bass
Franz Schubert - Mass No. 6 in E flat major, D 950
0:51 I. Kyrie
6:57 II. Gloria
19:48 III. Credo
34:57 IV. Sanctus
38:30 V. Benedictus
43:45 VI. Agnus Dei
Franz Schubert - "Schwanengesang" D 957
Christian Gerhaher--Baritone
Gerold Huber--Piano
1999
Schubert - Quintet in C Major op. 163, D. 956
Isaac Stern: violin-
Alexander Schneider: violin-
Milton Katims: alto-
Pablo Casals: cello-
Paul Tortelier: cello-
Prades-1952
Schubert - Piano Sonatas: D. 958, 959 and 960
Pianist: Andreas Staier
Piano Sonata No. 19 in C minor, D. 958
0:00 I. Allegro.
11:08 II. Adagio.
19:51 III. Menuetto: Allegro – Trio.
22:49 IV. Allegro.
Piano Sonata No. 20 in A major, D. 959
32:32 I. Allegro
48:51 II. Andantino
57:09 III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace – Trio: Un poco più lento.
1:01:41 IV. Rondo: Allegretto – Presto
Piano Sonata No. 21 in B flat major, D. 960
1:14:25 I. Molto moderato.
1:36:24 II. Andante sostenuto.
1:46:12 III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace con delicatezza – Trio.
1:50:30 IV. Allegro ma non troppo – Presto.
Hector Berlioz – Waverly Overture, Op. 1
Hector Berlioz - Waverly Overture Op.1
Orquesta Sinfónica de Londres Director: Sir Colin Davis.
The French composer Hector Berlioz made four attempts at winning the Prix de Rome music prize, finally succeeding in 1830.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort d'Orphée
La Mort d'Orphée (The Death of Orpheus) (1827), text by Berton. For tenor, chorus and orchestra. Berlioz's result: failed.
Hector Berlioz – Herminie
Herminie (Erminia) (1828), text by Pierre-Ange Vieillard. For soprano and orchestra. Result: second prize.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort de Cléopâtre
Cléopâtre (Cleopatra) (1829), text by Pierre-Ange Vieillard. For soprano and orchestra. Result: no first prize awarded.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort de Sardanapale
Sardanapale (Sardanapalus) (1830), text by Jean François Gail. For tenor, chorus and orchestra. Result: joint first prize.
Hector Berlioz - Herminie
I. Quel trouble te poursuit, malheureuse 00:00
II. Ah! Si de la tendresse où mon cœur 04:00
III. Que dis-je? òu s'égarent mes vœux? 08:19
IV. Arrête! Cher Tancrède 09:43
V. Que Clorinde est heureuse 12:57
VI. Venez, venez, terribles armes! 15:04
VII. ieu des chrétiens, toi que j'ignore 17:08
VIII. Venez, venez, terribles armes! 20:05
Janet Baker -mezzosoprano
Sir Colin Davis -conductor - London Symphony Orchestra
29 February
Daniel Auber – La muette de Portici
La muette de Portici (The Dumb Girl of Portici, or The Mute Girl of Portici), also called Masaniello in some versions, is an opera in five acts by Daniel Auber, with a libretto by Germain Delavigne, revised by Eugène Scribe.
Roles:
Masaniello, a Neapolitan fisherman tenor
Alphonse, son of the Count of Arcos, Viceroy of Naples tenor
Elvire, fiancée of Alphonse soprano
Fenella, sister of Masaniello dancer
Pietro, friend of Masaniello bass
Borella, friend of Masaniello bass
Moreno, friend of Masaniello bass
Lorenzo, confidant of Alphonse tenor
Selva, officer of the Viceroy bass
Lady-in-waiting to Elvire soprano
Synopsis
The opera is loosely based on the historical uprising of Masaniello against Spanish rule in Naples in 1647. The character of Fenella, the opera's eponymous heroine, was borrowed from Walter Scott's Peveril of the Peak, which features a deaf and dumb dwarf of the same name.
Act I
The square before a chapel
We witness the wedding of Alfonso, son of the Viceroy of Naples, with the Spanish Princess Elvira. Alfonso, who has seduced Fenella, the Neapolitan Masaniello's mute sister and abandoned her, is tormented by doubts and remorse, fearing that she has committed suicide. During the festival Fenella rushes in to seek protection from the Viceroy, who has kept her a prisoner for the past month. She has escaped from her prison and narrates the story of her seduction by gestures, showing a scarf which her lover gave her. Elvira promises to protect her and proceeds to the altar, Fenella vainly trying to follow. In the chapel Fenella recognizes her seducer in the bridegroom of the Princess. When the newly married couple come out of the church, Elvira presents Fenella to her husband and discovers from the mute girl's gestures, that he was her faithless lover. Fenella flees, leaving Alfonso and Elvira in sorrow and despair.
Act II
On the beach
The fishermen, who have been brooding in silence over the tyranny of their foes, begin to assemble. Pietro, Masaniello's friend, has sought for Fenella in vain, but at length she appears of her own accord and confesses her wrongs. Masaniello is infuriated and swears to have revenge, but Fenella, who still loves Alfonso, does not mention his name. Then Masaniello calls the fishermen to arms and they swear perdition to the enemy of their country.
Act III
The Naples marketplace
People go to and fro, selling and buying, all the while concealing their purpose under a show of merriment and carelessness. Selva, the officer of the Viceroy's body-guard, from whom Fenella has escaped, discovers her and the attempt to rearrest her is the sign for a general revolt, in which the people are victorious.
Act IV
Masaniello's house
Fenella comes to her brother's dwelling and describes the horrors, which are taking place in the town. The relation fills his noble soul with sorrow and disgust. When Fenella has retired to rest, Pietro enters with comrades and tries to excite Masaniello to further deeds, but he only wants liberty and shrinks from murder and cruelties.
They tell him that Alfonso has escaped and that they are resolved to overtake and kill him. Fenella, who hears all, decides to save her lover. At this moment Alfonso begs at her door for a hiding-place. He enters with Elvira, and Fenella, though at first disposed to avenge herself on her rival, pardons her for Alfonso's sake. Masaniello, reentering, assures the strangers of his protection and even when Pietro denounces Alfonso as the Viceroy's son, he holds his promise sacred. Pietro with his fellow-conspirators leaves him full of rage and hatred.
Meanwhile, the magistrate of the city presents Masaniello with the Royal crown and he is proclaimed King of Naples.
Act V
Before the Viceroy's palace
In a gathering of fishermen, Pietro confides to Moreno that he has administered poison to Masaniello, in order to punish him for his treason, and that the King of one day will soon die. While he speaks, Borella rushes in to tell of a fresh troop of soldiers, marching against the people with Alfonso at their head. Knowing that Masaniello alone can save them, the fishermen entreat him to take the command of them once more and Masaniello, though deadly ill and half bereft of his reason, complies with their request. The combat takes place, while an eruption of Vesuvius is going on. Masaniello falls in the act of saving Elvira's life. On hearing these terrible tidings Fanella rushes to the terrace, from which she leaps into the abyss beneath, while the fugitive noblemen take again possession of the city.
Daniel Francois Asprit Auber - La Muette De Portici
Frédéric Chopin:
Piano Sonata No. 1 Op. 4;
Fantasy on Polish Airs Op. 13;
Rondo à la Krakowiak Op. 14
Chopin - Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 4
Leif Ove Andsnes
Chopin: Fantasie on polish airs op.13 for piano and orchestra - Idil Biret
Frédéric Chopin - Rondo à la Krakowiak, Op. 14
Pianista: Garrick Ohlsson
Regente: Jerzy Maksymiuk
Orquestra: Sinfônica Nacional da Rádio Polonesa
Ferdinand Hérold – La fille mal gardée (ballet)
Herold - la fille mal gardée
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra - Barry Wordsworth
Louis Spohr – Symphony No. 3, Op. 78
Ludwig Spohr - Symphony Nº3 in C Minor,Op.78
I.Andante-Grave.Allegro:8:55
II.Larghetto:7.40
III.Scherzo:Trio:6:48
IV.Finale:Allegro:9:49
Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra(Kosice)-Alfred Walter
1 January
Gaetano Donizetti – L'esule di Roma
L'esule di Roma, ossia Il proscritto (The Exile from Rome, or the Proscribed Man) is a melodramma eroico, or heroic opera, in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti. Domenico Gilardoni wrote the Italian libretto after Luigi Marchionni's Il proscritto romano, in its turn based on Louis-Charles Caigniez and Debotière's Androclès ou Le lion reconnaissant. It premiered on 1 January 1828 at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples.
Donizetti - L'Esule di Roma-Act II-"L'ora estrema"
Argelia, Katia Ricciarelli-
Murena, John-Paul Bogart-
Puplio, John Gibbs-
Settimio, Bruce Brewer-
Leontina, Elaine Hammons-
Cond.- Leslie Head-Queen Elizabeth Hall-London, 1982
Donizetti - L'Esule di Roma-"Ah, che indarno Murena...Ogni tormento"
Argelia, Katia Ricciarelli-
Murena, John-Paul Bogart-
Puplio, John Gibbs-
Settimio, Bruce Brewer-
Leontina, Elaine Hammons-
Cond.- Leslie Head-Queen Elizabeth Hall-London, 1982
Synopsis:
Place: Rome Time: The reign of Tiberius, (14-37 AD)
Act 1
First scene
A public square surrounded by palaces, temples and monuments. The Arch of Triumph. On the right, the vestibulum of Murena's house
Scene 1
The people of Rome hails General Publius, who defeated the enemies of the Emperor Tiberius, but the senator Murena did not appear to participate the general exultation. In fact, he has promised his daughter to Publius Argelia, but when he arrives to claim her, he is forced to admit that the young girl can not be found and he can not fully conceal his concern.
Scene 2
The reason for Argelia's disappearance is revealed: The young tribune Septimus, son of one of Murena's benefactor's, that Murena condemned and exiled for political reasons, has returned secretly, risking certain death, to find Argelia, with whom he is in love (cabaletta Se ad altri il core).
Scene 3
Argelia returns love to him too, and has remained faithful (duet Al fianco mio!).
Scene 4
The two lovers' happiness is short-lived: Lucius comes with his soldiers and arrests Septimius immediately.
Scene 5
Argelia confesses that she loves Publius Septimius: Publius, nobly, promises to help him.
Scene 6
Lucio Murena announces that Septimus is back and that is expected to be judged by the Senate.
Second scene
Inside Murena's house.
Scene 7
Septimus makes one last visit to Argelia and provides written evidence of the conspiracy of which he is victim and of which his own father is the main inspiration. Argelia is terrified by the news. Murena comes in full of pain because he has just condemned Septimus to death. He implores the latter, however, not to tell his daughter about it and in return suggests that to save his honor he's ready to make him escape from Rome along with Argelia. But Septimus refuses and is ready to meet his death. Unusually, Donizetti concludes Act 1 with a remarkable trio (Ei stesso!), Instead of the usual custom; this solution will be taken up by Bellini's Norma at end of Act 1 (1831) and Verdi's Ernani of 1844.
Act 2
First scene
Inside Murena's house.
Scenes 1 and 2:
Murena sinks into madness in a very beautiful scene (aria Entra nel cirfo!, Cabaletta De Stige il flutto), which, on one hand oddly foreshadows his famous "mad scenes" - all for women - the works of the mature Donizetti, and on the other hand is echoed particularly in scenes from the masterpieces of the neoclassical theater, where a male character becomes insane by remorse, among them can mentioned the tragedies Saul (1782) by Vittorio Alfieri and Aristodemo (1786) by Vincenzo Monti. Giovanni Pacini will mention this scene in his Sappho (1840).
Second scene
In prison
Scene 3
In his cell, Septimius awaits his execution. The aria in A major S'io finora, Bell'idol mio is preceded by an instrumental passage for Oboe solo and followed by a cabaletta in the same key, goes down to the trumpet. This scene was added during the performances at La Scala, Milan on 12 July 12, 1828 for the tenor, Winter, but the original music was lost. There are two versions: one written for Rubini, who sang the role at the Teatro San Carlo in the winter of 1828 and the other for Ignazio Pasini on its revival in Bergamo, 1840.
Third scene
The garden of Murena's house.
Scnes 4 and 5
Murena has decided to denounce himself for the sake of saving Septimus. He asks from Argelia the documents that the young man has given her that proves his guilt, but she doesn't want her father to sacrifice his good name, and refuses him with tears. However, Murena's decision is irrevocable, and he goes to the emperor.
Scene 6
Outside, Argelia hears the cries of the crowd that wants to see Septimus taken to his execution. The cantabile of his cavatina Tardi, tardi il piè la volgi is introduced and emphasized quite unusually with an English horn.
Scene 7
The tempo in the middle is introduced by Publius, who announces the good news: Septimus and Murena were both pardoned. Argelia expresses her joy in the final cabaletta Ogni tormento.
29 March
Heinrich Marschner – Der Vampyr
Der Vampyr (The Vampire) is a Romantic opera in two acts by Heinrich Marschner. The German libretto by Wilhelm August Wohlbrück (Marschner's brother-in-law) is based on the play Der Vampir oder die Totenbraut (1821) by Heinrich Ludwig Ritter, which itself was based on the short story The Vampyre (1819) by John Polidori. The first performance took place on 29 March 1828 in Leipzig, where it was a hit.
Synopsis
Place: Scotland Time: the eighteenth century.
Act 1
Scene 1: After midnight
At a Witches' Sabbath, the Vampire Master tells Lord Ruthven that if he cannot sacrifice three virgin brides within the next 24 hours, he will die. If he can, he will be granted another year of life. The clock strikes one, and Ruthven's first victim, Janthe, arrives for a clandestine meeting, although she is due to marry another on the following day. Berkley, having discovered that she is missing, is searching for her with his men, and Ruthven hides with her in a cave. Her screams alert the search-party, and the body and the Vampire are discovered. Berkley stabs Ruthven and leaves him to die, but he is discovered by Aubry, whose life had been saved by Ruthven in the past. Ruthven pleads with Aubry to drag him into the moonlight so that he can revive, and Aubry, while doing so, realises that Ruthven is a vampire. He has to swear not to reveal this secret for twenty-four hours, or he will become a vampire, too.
Scene 2: Next morning
The 18-year-old Malwina and Aubry, with whom she is in love, are told by Davenaut that she must marry the Earl of Marsden. Aubry recognises the Earl as Lord Ruthven, but is told that he is Ruthven's brother, who has been abroad for some time. Aubry, however, recognises a wound that proves that the Earl really is Ruthven, and is about to denounce him when Ruthven reminds him of his oath and the consequences that will follow if he breaks it. The preparations for Malwina's marriage to "Marsden" begin.
Act 2
Scene 1: Near Marsden castle
Emmy awaits her husband-to-be, George. News of Janthe's gruesome death emerges, and Emmy recounts the legend of the Vampire. Ruthven appears and impresses the villagers with his largesse. He flirts with Emmy until, interrupted by George, he departs - though by then he has extracted a promise from Emmy that she will dance with him later.
Scene 2
Aubry tries to persuade Ruthven to give up his claim to Malwina, but is again reminded of the fate that awaits if he breaks his oath. Ruthven, in a soliloquy, rails against the torments that a Vampire must face.
Scene 3
Aubry is torn by his choice between breaking his oath and saving Malwina, or keeping quiet and losing her to the Vampire. George asks Aubry to use his influence to stop "Marsden" from seducing Emmy. Aubry warns George that he must keep watch over Emmy - but already she is being led into the forest by Ruthven.
Scene 4: Outside the inn
Blunt, Gadshill, Scrop and Green sing of the pleasures of drink. Blunt's wife Suse upbraids the men, to the delight of the onlookers, but a dishevelled George arrives, recounting how he followed Emmy and "Marsden", only to find him standing over her dead body. He had shot the Earl immediately, leaving him to die in the moonlight. The villagers express their sympathy and sorrow.
Scene 5: In Davenaut's castle
Malwina is to be married to "Marsden" before midnight. Aubry warns her that she is in danger, and she puts her trust in God. The wedding-guests arrive, followed by Ruthven, who apologises for his lateness. Malwina and Aubry make one last appeal to Davenaut, who throws Aubry out and orders the wedding to proceed. A thunderstorm approaches, and Aubry returns, having decided to reveal Ruthven's secret at no matter what cost to himself. Suddenly, the clock strikes one, and Aubry, released from his oath, reveals that "Marsden" is Lord Ruthven, the Vampire. Ruthven, having failed in his task, is struck by lightning and descends into Hell. Now Davenaut asks Malwina to forgive him and consents to her marriage to Aubry, to general rejoicing.
Marschner "Der Vampyr"
Blunt: Andréa Snarski
Diener: Renzo Scorsoni
Edgar Aubry: Josef Protschka
Emmy: Anastasia Tomaszewska Schepis
George Dibdin: Oslavio di Credico
James Gadshill: Carlo di Giacomo
Janthe: Galina Pisarenko
Lord Ruthven: Siegmund Nimsgern
Malwina: Carole Farley
Richard Scrop: Romano Truffelli
Robert Green: Armando Caforio
Sir Berkley: Wolfgang Lenz
Sir Humphrey Davenaut: Martin Egel
Suse: Nucci Condò
Vampyrmeister: Peter Boom
Coro della RAI di Roma - Orchestra della RAI di Roma
Conductor: Günter Neuhold
20 August
Gioacchino Rossini – Le comte Ory (Count Ory) first performed in Paris. Libretto by Eugène Scribe and Charles-Gaspard Delestre-Poirson.
6 November
Friedrich Kuhlau - Elverhøj
Elves' Hill (Danish: Elverhøj) is a comedy by Johan Ludvig Heiberg, with overture and incidental music by Friedrich Kuhlau (Op. 100), which is considered the first Danish national play.
Elves' Hill was commissioned by Frederik VI for the wedding of his daughter Vilhelmine Marie and Frederik Carl Christian (later Frederik VII) and premiered on November 6, 1828, 5 days after the wedding.
Friedrich Kuhlau - Elverhøj, Op.100
Elverhøj, comedy with music in five acts, first performance 6 November 1828, Royal Opera house, Copenhagen.
Libretto: Johan Ludvig Heiberg
Ouverture 00:00
Melodrama 11:18
Romance: Jeg gik mig i lunden (Karen) 14:13
Romance: Jeg lagde mit hoved (Karen) 18:52
Chorus: Hurtig til lystig fest (Peasants) 21:17
Romance: Nu løvsalen skygger (Elisabeth) 22:34
Romance: Der vanker en ridder (Elisabeth) 23:39
Ballade with chorus: Nu lider dagen (Mogens) 26:27
Romance: Dybt i havet (Karen, Mogens) 30:43
Chorus: Nu de lensmanden bort vil drage (Peasants) 33:31
Chorus: Herligt, en sommernat (Hunters) 35:12
Ballet "Agnetes dröm" / "Agnetes dream" 36:52
Menuetto 43:01
Contra dance 47:25
Polonaise 48:48
Children's dance 51:13
Pas de huit 52:51
Ecossaise 55:57
Garland's dance 57:12
Fanfares 58:31
Chorus: Beskærm vor Konge 58:59
Roles:
Elisabeth: Bodil Gøbel, soprano
Mogens: Mogens Schmidt Johansen, baritone
Karen: Gurli Plesner, alto
Chorus: Danish National Radio Choir
Orchestra: The Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: John Frandsen
19 November
Franz Schubert, composer, dies, aged 31

1829
Frederic Chopin:
Introduction and Polonaise Brillante Op. 3
Piano Trio Op. 8
Étude Op. 10, No. 8
Étude Op. 10, No. 9
Étude Op. 10, No. 10
Étude Op. 10, No. 11
Chopin - Polonaise Brilliante in C Major, Op.3
Lynn Harrell
Chopin - Trio Op. 8
Ivan Penchev - violin, Lora Tchekoratova - piano, Christo Tanev - cello
Chopin - Etudes Op. 10
No. 1 - 00:20
No. 2 - 02:08
No. 3 - 03:53
No. 4 - 08:04
No. 5 - 09:56
No. 6 - 11:35
No. 7 - 15:19
No. 8 - 16:40
No. 9 - 18:59
No. 10 - 21:29
No. 11 - 24:00
No. 12 - 26:34
Boris Berezovsky
Fanny Hensel (Mendelssohn) – Fantasie in g-moll for Cello and Piano
Fanny Mendelssohn - Fantasie in g-moll for Cello and Piano
Gioachino Rossini - William Tell Overture
Conducter: Leonard Bernstein
New York Philharmonic Orchestra
Gioachino Rossini – William Tell Overture
The French composer Hector Berlioz made four attempts at winning the Prix de Rome music prize, finally succeeding in 1830.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort d'Orphée
La Mort d'Orphée (The Death of Orpheus) (1827), text by Berton. For tenor, chorus and orchestra. Berlioz's result: failed.
Hector Berlioz – Herminie
Herminie (Erminia) (1828), text by Pierre-Ange Vieillard. For soprano and orchestra. Result: second prize.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort de Cléopâtre
La Mort de Cléopâtre (Cleopatra) (1829), text by Pierre-Ange Vieillard. For soprano and orchestra. Result: no first prize awarded.
Hector Berlioz – La Mort de Sardanapale
Sardanapale (Sardanapalus) (1830), text by Jean François Gail. For tenor, chorus and orchestra. Result: joint first prize.
Hector Berlioz - La mort de Cléopâtre
1. Allegro vivace con impeto - Recitativo
2. Lento cantabile - Recitativo
3. Méditation. Largo misterioso 10:32
4. Allegro assai agitato
5. Moderato. Recitativo misurato
Jessye Norman, soprano
Orchestre de Paris - Conducted by Daniel Barenboim
1982
16 May
Vincenzo Bellini - La straniera
La straniera (The Foreign Woman) is an opera in two acts with music by Vincenzo Bellini to an Italian libretto by Felice Romani, based on the novel L'Étrangère by Charles-Victor Prévot. The opera was composed in the autumn of 1828 and premiered on 14 February 1829 at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
At the heart of the plot of this opera is a complicated series of historical events beginning at the end of the twelfth century. King Philip Augustus of France (Philip II of France) married the Danish princess Ingeborg in 1193. For unknown reasons, he separated from her the day after the wedding and sought an annulment from Pope Celestine III. Ingeborg, however, insisted that the marriage had been consummated, and that she was his wife and the rightful Queen of France. Philip ultimately obtained an annulment through an assembly of French bishops. He then sought to marry Marguerite, daughter of William I, Count of Geneva, but she was kidnapped on the way to Paris by Thomas I of Savoy, who married her instead. Ultimately, in 1196 Philip married Agnes of Merania ("la straniera"), the daughter of a nobleman, Bertold IV of Dalmatia. Denmark continued to complain about Philip's treatment of Ingeborg and in 1200 Pope Innocent III required Philip to take her back, rendering him essentially a bigamist and subject to excommunication. Agnes died in 1201, however, ending the threat of excommunication.
Vincenzo Bellini - LA STRANIERA
Roles:
Alaide, the stranger soprano
Arturo, Count of Ravenstel tenor
Valdeburgo, Baron, secret brother of Alaide baritone
Isoletta, fiancée of Arturo mezzo-soprano
Osburgo, confidant of Arturo tenor
Il signore di Montolino, father of Isoletta bass
Il Priore degli Spedalieri bass
8 May
Louis Moreau Gottschalk, pianist and composer, born.
16 May
Vincenzo Bellini - Zaira
Zaira is a tragedia lirica, or tragic opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini set to a libretto by Felice Romani which was based on Voltaire's 1732 tragedy, Zaïre. The story takes place in the time of the Crusades and the opera's plot involves the heroine, Zaira, struggling between her Christian faith and her love for Orosmane, the Muslim Sultan of Jerusalem.
It was Bellini's fifth opera, following quickly after his February 1829 composition and premiere of La straniera at La Scala.
Zaira received its first performance at the "Nuovo Teatro Ducale" in Parma (now the Teatro Regio di Parma) on 16 May 1829.
Bellini - Zaira
Catania - 1976 - Daniele Belardinelli -
Renata Scotto (Zaira) -
Giorgio Casellato Lamberti (Corasmino) -
Maria Luisa Nave (Nerestano) -
Luigi Roni (Luigi Roni) -
Mario Rinaudo (Lusignano) -
Giovanna Collica (Fatima)
Synopsis
Place: Jerusalem
Time: 14th/15th century
Act 1
Scene 1: A gallery leading to the Sultan's harem
There is celebration in the Sultan's court over the impending marriage between Sultan Orosmane and Zaira, the orphaned Christian slave girl. But some of his courtiers resent the marriage, seeing the installation of a Christian woman as sacrilegious. Corasmino, the Sultan's vizier vows to seek a way that this will not happen. Zaida herself is happy, but is reminded by Fatima, another slave girl, that she will have to give up her religion upon marriage, and this causes Zaira to declare that from then on, her religion will be that of love. When the Sultan appears, each expresses their mutual love. The Frenchman Nerestano, a former slave, has returned from France to plead for the release of ten French knights still held captive. Orosmane quickly agrees to release all the captives, who number around one hundred, but insists on retaining Prince Lusignano whom he has condemned to death. Zaira pleads for Lusignano to be released from his death sentence.
Scene 2: A subterranean prison leading to the prisoners' cells
Nerestano and Zaira go down to the prisoners' cells to see the French knights who are to be freed. There they see Prince Lusignano who, upon seeing the couple, actually recognises them as his long-lost children who were taken prisoner during the time he was battling with Syria. Zaira is disturbed by Lusignano's concern that she must renounce her religion and, although called away, pledges to do what she can to avoid taking that action.
Scene 3: The Sultan's harem
The French prisoners are ordered to leave in spite of Corasmino's concern that their poor physical condition might not be well received when they arrive in France. Orosmane allows Zaira to say farewell to Narastano, but he is upset because he misconstrues the relationship between the two, especially when Zaira asks for a short postponement of the marriage. Orosmane declares that he will kill any man who would be his rival in love.
Act 2
Scene 1: Zaira's quarters
Fatima tries to persuade Zaira not to marry Orosmane and not to give up her religion. Zaira pleads for the postponement of her wedding when the sultan enters; at that time, she promises to tell him why. Generously, he agrees.
Scene 2: Near the French knights' cells
Count Lusignano has just died and the sultan allows the French knights to bury him with full Christian honours and then the knights are to be escorted to their ships. However, all are unhappy when they learn that Zaira cannot attended the funeral, since they had planned to abduct her at that time.
Scene 3: The harem
Corasmino has found what he believes to be evidence of Zaira's treachery in appearing to love Nerestano. It has reached him through the interception of a letter from brother to sister demanding that she meet him in the garden that night or he states that he will kill himself. He shares this information with Orosmane who agrees that the message should get through to her. Conflicting emotions overwhelm Zaira when she reads the letter. At that moment, she hears the sounds of a funeral and, looking from the balcony and realising that it is her father who is dead, collapses in a faint, an action which amazes the other slaves and guards.
Scene 4: The harem gardens at night
Humiliated, Orosmane hides in the garden along with Corasmino. They await Zaira's arrival. When she does so, accompanied by Fatima, Nerestano appears and, to him, she renounces her love for Orosmane and expresses her desire to return with him to her homeland. In a fit of jealousy, the sultan rushes at Zaira and fatally stabs her. Dying, she explains her relationship to Nerestano at which the grieving Orosmane, ordering all to leave, stabs himself in the heart.
6 July
Gaetano Donizetti – Il castello di Kenilworth
Il castello di Kenilworth is a melodramma serio in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti. Andrea Leone Tottola wrote the Italian libretto after Victor Hugo's play Amy Robsart (1828) and Eugene Scribe's play Leicester, both of which following from Scott's novel Kenilworth (1821).