Odyssey Opera, a company based in Boston, MA, just released the very first complete recording of Saint-Saëns’ Henry VIII. You can find the 4 disc CD here. Henry VIII is a grand opera premiering at the Palais Garnier in 1883. The opera was incredibly popular at the time, with performances at the Royal Opera HouseContinue reading “A complete recording of Saint-Saëns’ Henry VIII now available”
Author Archives: Mary Huntimer
A Saxophone oratorio? Listen to Wladimir Vogel’s 1930 oratorio, Wagadus Untergang durch die Eitelkeit
When I started making the list of operas and ballets in the database, I did not include oratorios for one simple reason, the saxophone wasn’t used in oratorios. There’s an exception here and there (Massenet has an oratorio in this database) but for the most part, the oratorio excludes the saxophone. Imagine my surprise whenContinue reading “A Saxophone oratorio? Listen to Wladimir Vogel’s 1930 oratorio, Wagadus Untergang durch die Eitelkeit”
The Saxophone and Thor- Discover Frederic Hymen Cowen’s opera, Thorgrim
The English have a long tradition of the saxophone in opera, longer than you might imagine. Before finding Thorgrim, the first English opera I have in my database is Joseph Holbrooke’s The Children of Don, written in 1912. But it turns out the saxophone was heard in the opera house long before 1912. The EnglishContinue reading “The Saxophone and Thor- Discover Frederic Hymen Cowen’s opera, Thorgrim”
Opera Streams of the Week, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs on 5/6/2022 and more…
The Atlanta Opera is livestreaming The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs by Mason Bates this Friday, May 6th at 8 pm ET. Originally commissioned by the Sante Fe opera, this production The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs is a coproduction with the Austin Opera, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Calgary Opera, and the Utah Opera. Tickets toContinue reading “Opera Streams of the Week, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs on 5/6/2022 and more…”
Publisher Bill Holab Music is now in the database, discover works by Michael Daugherty, Michael Torke, and Jake Heggie
Bill Holab Music’s catalog is now listed in the database. Bill Holab publishes works by American composers like Michael Torke and Michael Daugherty. Daugherty was already listed in the database with his opera, Jackie O, published by Boosey & Hawkes. Here are some featured works from Bill Holab’s catalog. Date: 2012 Ballet: Labyrinth of LoveContinue reading “Publisher Bill Holab Music is now in the database, discover works by Michael Daugherty, Michael Torke, and Jake Heggie”
The Operatic Saxophone turns one year old—celebrate it by watching opera
Two years ago when everything shut down due to Covid, I started watching the daily streams of the Metropolitan Opera. My interest in opera started before then, but with all the free time and the Met’s high production value, this was the perfect opportunity to dive into the world of opera. Outside of the knowledgeContinue reading “The Operatic Saxophone turns one year old—celebrate it by watching opera”
Listen to the Saxophone in Ambroise Thomas’s 1889 ballet, La Tempête
In 1889 Paris hosted the Exposition Universelle, a centennial celebration of the French Revolution. This was a showcase of the latest engineering marvels—the Eiffel Tower, technological advances—the telephone, and a showcase of the best of French culture. The Paris Opéra was slated to premiere Saint-Saëns’s newest opera, Ascanio, but the opera was not ready forContinue reading “Listen to the Saxophone in Ambroise Thomas’s 1889 ballet, La Tempête”
Orlando by Olga Neuwirth wins the Grawemeyer Award
Austrian composer Olga Neuwirth won the 2022 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition. Neuwirth received the award for her opera, Orlando, which premiered at the Wiener Staatsoper in 2019. Orlando was the first opera written by a woman to be staged at the Wiener Staatsoper it’s 150 year history. Olga Neuwirth has threeContinue reading “Orlando by Olga Neuwirth wins the Grawemeyer Award”
Watch the premiere of “The Time of Our Singing,” featuring Saxophonist Mark Turner
Belgian composer and jazz pianist Kris Defoort premiered a new opera last month, The Time of Our Singing. This opera is based on Richard Powers’ 2003 novel of the same name which tells the story of a mixed raced family growing up during racial segregation in America. This production is staged by the Belgian operaContinue reading “Watch the premiere of “The Time of Our Singing,” featuring Saxophonist Mark Turner”
Opera’s influence on early “turcophone” literature
One of the first saxophone soloists is quite a unique character. Charles-Jean-Baptiste Soualle, aka Ali Ben Sou Alle, was a clarinet student at the Paris Conservatory who graduated in 1844. He took a job playing in orchestras in Paris before going to England with his ‘corno musa,’ aka the turcophone, which was really just anContinue reading “Opera’s influence on early “turcophone” literature”
the Operatic Saxophone 