Verdi: Preludes Ballet Music [Audio CD] G. Verdi; Riccardo Muti; La Scala Theater Orchestra; Philharmonia Orchestra; New Philharmonia Orchestra; Giuseppe Verdi; La Scala Theater Chorus; Royal Opera House Covent Garden Chorus; Gordon Hunt; Mirella Freni;

2013 will herald the start of Giuseppe Verdi s bicentennial year. To celebrate the occasion, EMI Classics presents Verdi: Preludes, Ballet Music & Opera Choruses. The 2-CD set feature highlights from the various Verdi operas. With his questing spirit, Verdi took an often innovative approach to the choral and orchestral components of his operas. In Nabucco, his first great success, the chorus of Hebrew slaves became a protagonist and its Va, pensiero became Italy s honorary national anthem while his overtures range from atmospheric introductions, for instance the haunting prelude to La traviata, to full-blown orchestral showpieces, such as the splendid sinfonia that opens La forza del destino. Some of the greatest orchestras are featured in this set including the New Philharmonia Orchestra and the Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala both under the direction of Riccardo Muti.

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