Immerse yourself in the world of 18th-century opera with Christoph Willibald Gluck's "Gluck: Opera Gala," a captivating compilation of highlights from seven of his seminal works. This double album, released on the Orfeo label, showcases the genius of Gluck, a composer who revolutionized opera with his reformist approach, allowing music to seamlessly follow the dramatic action.
Spanning over two and a half hours, this collection features excerpts from some of Gluck's most renowned operas, including "Alceste," "Iphigénie en Tauride," "Orfeo ed Euridice," and "Paride ed Elena." Each selection offers a glimpse into Gluck's innovative style, characterized by its clarity, simplicity, and dramatic intensity. The album also includes pieces from "Le cinesi" and "Les pèlerins de la Mecque," providing a well-rounded exploration of Gluck's operatic repertoire.
Recorded between May and November 2020, this compilation brings together some of the most memorable arias and overtures from Gluck's operas, performed by outstanding artists. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "Gluck: Opera Gala" offers an engaging and accessible introduction to the works of one of the most influential composers in opera history. With its rich orchestration and powerful vocal performances, this album is a testament to Gluck's enduring legacy and his profound impact on the world of opera.
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
Christoph Willibald Gluck, a pioneering figure in the world of opera, bridged the gap between the Baroque and Classical eras with his innovative and dramatic compositions. Born in the Upper Palatinate and raised in Bohemia, Gluck's journey took him from the courts of Europe to the stages of Italy and France, where he revolutionized operatic practices. His groundbreaking works, such as "Orfeo ed Euridice" and "Alceste," broke away from the dominant opera seria style, introducing more dramatic storytelling and orchestral depth. Gluck's reforms, which included the use of orchestral recitative and the reduction of lengthy da capo arias, laid the foundation for the future of opera, influencing composers like Mozart and Berlioz. With a career spanning nearly five decades and a catalog of 49 operas, Gluck's legacy as a trailblazer in the world of classical music is undeniable.