Par SMETANA BEDRICH. Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884) only began to devote himself intensively to the project of an original opera in Czech at the age of 38. The libretto of 'The Bartered Bride”, the second of Smetana's nine operas, was written for Smetana by the poet and journalist Karel Sabina. The subject chosen for the comic opera was the story of a pair of lovers in the countryside whose relationship is disapproved of by their parents. It is set during the festival at a village church anniversary. The final form of the work, which soon came to be regarded as a national opera, was preceded by a relatively difficult genesis. The opera was written between 1863 and 1865 and was premiered on 30 May 1866 at the Provisional Theatre in Prague, where the composer's last version of the work was also performed in 1870. This vocal score contains the musical text of the critical edition of Smetana's own vocal score. The newly-set edition contains both Czech and German vocal texts - the German singing translation is by Kurt Honolka. The newly-set and revised performance material for the entire opera, based on the critical edition by Frantisek Bartos, is available on hire. The vocal score replaces the old edition AE 112. - Urtext based on the critical edition of Smetana's own vocal score - A key work of modern Czech opera - New foreword by Marta Ottlová (Cz/Eng/Ger) - Includes singing translation by Kurt Honolka (Ger)/ Répertoire / Chant et Piano

Bedrich Smetana (1824?1884) only began to devote himself intensively to the project of an original opera in Czech at the age of 38. The libretto of ?The Bartered Bride?, the second of Smetana?s nine operas, was written for Smetana by the poet and journalist Karel Sabina. The subject chosen for the comic opera was the story of a pair of lovers in the countryside whose relationship is disapproved of by their parents. It is set during the festival at a village church anniversary.

The final form of the work, which soon came to be regarded as a national opera, was preceded by a relatively difficult genesis.

The opera was written between 1863 and 1865 and was premiered on 30 May 1866 at the Provisional Theatre in Prague, where the composer?s last version of the work was also performed in 1870.

This vocal score contains the musical text of the critical edition of Smetana?s own vocal score.

The newly-set edition contains both Czech and German vocal texts; the German singing translation is by Kurt Honolka.

The newly-set and revised performance material for the entire opera, based on the critical edition by Frantisek Bartos, is available on hire. / [La Fiancée vendue] / Classique / Partition /

The well-known aria announcing the barber's entrance — 'Figaro!… Eh Figaro!' — highlights this comic romp of an opera. Based on Beaumarchais' Le Barbier de Seville Rossini's 1816 classic began as Almaviva or the Useless Precaution in an attempt to avoid confusion with a highly successful Il Barbiere di Siviglia of a half-century earlier. An opening night fiasco and persistent interruptions during the premiere by fans of the older play were but momentary detours on the path of this masterpiece to international fame. With the now-famous overture in place the work reached the operatic capitals of the world becoming the first opera to be sung in Italian in NewYork. Ideal for conductors soloists chorus members and rehearsal pianists this practice and performance vocal score is based on the classic 1900 Schirmer edition. Please note that the lyrics appear in the original Italian only.

Par MASSENET JULES. Cendrillon (Cinderella), with a libretto by Henri Cain based on Perrault's fairytale, premiered in 1899 in Paris. Best known for composing over thirty operas, the composer, Jules Massenet (1842-1912) purposely did not attend the premiere, but received a telegram the following day from baritone Fugère recording its triumph. Incorporating the composer's sense of humour and wit, the use of recurrent motifs is subtle and often thought to be inspired by Richard Wagner. Cendrillon contains musical echoes of the 18th century, incorporating gallant music, the use of the Lute and Viola D'Amore and a series of Balletentrees. The Opera is in four acts with 19 characters and a chorus. The role of Prince Charming is a breeches role whilst the melody lines of the Fairy Godmother are characterised by trills and arpeggios. Massenet 's Cendrillon remains popular to this day and was notably performed at the Royal Opera House in 2011. / Opéra-opérette / Répertoire / Chant et Piano

Par VAUGHAN WILLIAMS RALPH. On his return to civilian life after five years Army service in the First World War, Vaughan Williams revised some pre-war works, such as The Lark Ascending and his opera Hugh the Drover , and embarked on new compositions - the Pastoral Symphony , the one-act Bunyan episode The Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains and the Mass in G minor - all of which have outwardly in common a serene tranquillity. But beneath the surface, especially of the symphony, is a requiem-like mood, a legacy of the war. This ambiguity can also be sensed in the three songs -or rondels - for voice and string trio which he called Merciless Beauty. The texts are attributed to Chaucer./ Répertoire / Chant et Piano

Voix grave-Jacques Ibert (1890-1962) studied at the Paris Conservatoire before embarking upon a successful composing career. The film Don Quichotte increased his popularity when he composed the musical score in 1933. Controversially the producers of Don Quichotte asked five composers separately to compose songs for the film. Each composer thought only he had been approached and when Ibert's music was eventually chosen for the film it caused him some embarrassment as Maurice Ravel who had also been approached was a close friend of his. Song of Departure comes toward the beginning of the film sung by thethe main character Don Quichotte. Addressing a variety of musical aspects and techniques Ibert's Song of Departure is a challenging yet evocative addition to the Bass repertoire.

“My angel my all my self”. With these words Beethoven in July 1812 began his passionate love letter to a woman whose identity has eluded discovery to the present day. Was he perhaps addressing the same woman four years later when he composed “An die ferne Geliebte” his song cycle on poems by Alois Jeitteles?Barry Cooper discusses this and many other questions in the Introduction to his new edition of Beethoven’s only song cycle. Not only does he present a meticulously edited musical text he also delves into questions of performance practice that previous critical editions have overlooked.