The Database now has over 700 entries of ballets and operas that include the saxophone in the orchestration. Here are today’s entries. Faber Music is a London based publisher that focuses on English language stage works. In the saxophone database, the earliest work from Faber Music is Benjamin Britten’s 1940 Paul Bunyan. Other composers listedContinue reading “Database hits 700 entries! New ballets from Faber Music and Dilia”
Tag Archives: opera
New Publishers in the Database: Theodore Presser and PromoMusica
As I fill out the the database with Latin American composers, I also find many American composers. A few highlights from today’s search. PromoMusica publishes the works of Mexican and Mexican American composers. Listed in the database are two operas by Juan Trigos, a Mexican American composer. The operas are DeCachetitoRaspado and Ella-Miau. Theodore PresserContinue reading “New Publishers in the Database: Theodore Presser and PromoMusica”
The Music of Fred Ho is now listed in the database
Saxophonist, author, composer, band leader, and social activist Fred Ho (1957-2014) is now listed in the database. Ho’s inclusion showcases some of the challenges that I encounter while compiling this database. Ho as a composer and instrumentalist exist outside of the traditional opera and ballet world. His music is not listed on any of theContinue reading “The Music of Fred Ho is now listed in the database”
New Ballets from Ricordi and the frustrations of building this database
I just finished inputting ballets from Ricordi.com. Ricordi includes the publishers Salabert, Durand, Forberg, and Eschig. More importantly, these publishers are responsible for publishing a substantial number of Romantic works. When it comes to finding works for the saxophone published in the 1800s and into the 20th century, this is one of the first placesContinue reading “New Ballets from Ricordi and the frustrations of building this database”
New Publisher on the in the Database, Donemus
Donemus, a publishing company based in the Netherlands is now listed in the website. Discover Dutch operas. The earliest Dutch opera in the database is Jan Felderhof’s Een serenade in St. Jansnacht written in 1932. Here is recording of Willem Pijper’s 1939 opera, Merlijn. You can hear the soprano saxophone behind the baritone. Another funContinue reading “New Publisher on the in the Database, Donemus”
Doubt now streaming on Great Performances
Douglas J. Cuomo adapted John Patrick Shanley’s 2005 Broadway play, Doubt for the Minnesota Opera New Works. This opera premiered in 2013 and now you can watch this 2019 production, now streaming on Great Performances. Starring Christine Brewer, Adriana Zabala, Matthew Worth and Denyce Graves. Doubt uses the alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone. This operaContinue reading “Doubt now streaming on Great Performances”
Nixon in China, streaming March 5-19 on Staatsoper Stuttgart
Tonight, the Staatsoper Stuttgart is streaming their 2019 production of John Adams’ 1987 opera, Nixon in China. You can watch the free stream of the opera by clicking on the link below. This opera will be available to watch from March 5-19. https://www.staatsoper-stuttgart.de/spielplan/a-z/nixon-in-china-online/ This surreal opera is based on Nixon’s 1972 trip to China. It’sContinue reading “Nixon in China, streaming March 5-19 on Staatsoper Stuttgart”
Part 4: Modern productions of Jonny Spielt Auf, the Good, the Bad, and the Cringeworthy
In part 1, I show how blackface is a still a tradition used in modern opera productions. Part 2 covers the minstrel roots of Jonny Spielt Auf. Part 3 covers the Nazi reaction to Jonny Spielt Auf and how it became the face of Entartete Musik (degenerate music). With this problematic background, how modern operaContinue reading “Part 4: Modern productions of Jonny Spielt Auf, the Good, the Bad, and the Cringeworthy”
Blackface in Opera, why is that still a thing? Part 1…
As I’m watching the Met’s 1985 production of Aida,, I start to ask myself the question I never want to ask: Is that blackface?
Porgy and Bess: Streaming 2/1-2/2 at Met on Demand
Tonight, Met on Demand is streaming their 2020 performance of Porgy and Bess. This is the second time Metropolitan Opera staged the work, first in 1985 then this 2019-2020 production. Eric Owens and Angel Blue lead this production as Porgy and Bess. You can watch it here, starting at 7:30 on February 1st, 2021. ItContinue reading “Porgy and Bess: Streaming 2/1-2/2 at Met on Demand”
the Operatic Saxophone 