Jos van de Braak

The 'Furioso-Polka' opus 260 is a fast polka by Johann Strauss jr. which was performed for the first time in Pavlovsk, near St. Petersburg, at a charity concert in 1861. The brilliant orchestration of...

The aria "Infelice! e tuo credevi" is sung by Silva at the end of the first act of Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Ernani: Silva has entered his niece and fiancee Elvira's room to find both Ernani and Carlo i...

The aria 'Vecchia zimarra' is sung by Colline at the end of the fourth act of Puccini's opera 'La Bohème': After Mimi has collapsed on the staircase to the attic room, she is carried into the room. On...

The aria 'Vecchia zimarra' is sung by Colline at the end of the fourth act of Puccini's opera 'La Bohème': After Mimi has collapsed on the staircase to the attic room, she is carried into the room. On...

Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Simon Boccanegra' was first in 1857. Only after a revision in 1880 with new texts by Arrigo Boito, the librettist of 'Otello', the Opera became a success and is even played now...

Giuseppe Verdi's opera 'Simon Boccanegra' was first in 1857. Only after a revision in 1880 with new texts by Arrigo Boito, the librettist of 'Otello', the Opera became a success and is even played now...

Johannes Brahms composed the 'Variations on a theme by Haydn' in the summer of 1873. The theme Brahms used was entitled 'Chorale St. Antoni' and attributed to the composer Joseph Haydn. But subsequent...

Johannes Brahms composed the 'Variations on a theme by Haydn' in the summer of 1873. The theme Brahms used was entitled 'Chorale St. Antoni' and attributed to the composer Joseph Haydn. But subsequent...

Hans Christian Lumbye is best known for his light compositions, many of which evoke non-musical sources. The 'Champagne Galop' (BTM681), for example, begins with the 'pop' of a champagne cork, and the...

Johann Strauss's (1825-1899) ninth operetta Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice) premiered 1883 in Berlin. Although the score gained high acclaim, the press criticized the original libretto as si...

Johann Strauss's (1825-1899) ninth operetta Eine Nacht in Venedig (A Night in Venice) premiered 1883 in Berlin. Although the score gained high acclaim, the press criticized the original libretto as si...

The 'Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major' by Antonio Vivaldi is one of the few solo works of the early 1700's to feature brass instruments and is among Vivaldi's best-known creations. As with the gre...

The 'Florida Suite' is an orchestral suite by English composer Frederick Delius (1862-1934). Despite the work's title, Delius actually composed this suite in Leipzig in 1887 after his time as manager...

The 'Florida Suite' is an orchestral suite by English composer Frederick Delius (1862-1934). Despite the work's title, Delius actually composed this suite in Leipzig in 1887 after his time as manager...

As many may be aware, Emile Waldteufel rivaled Johann Strauss II in the genre of the waltz. But unlike Strauss, many of Waldteufel's popular waltzes were arrangements of folk themes or themes by other...

As many may be aware, Emile Waldteufel rivaled Johann Strauss II in the genre of the waltz. But unlike Strauss, many of Waldteufel's popular waltzes were arrangements of folk themes or themes by other...

Since its premiere in 1892, 'Werther' has ranked among Jules Massenet's most admired and beloved scores it has also proved the most enduring. Yet the opera's origins remain somewhat mysterious and it...

Since its premiere in 1892, 'Werther' has ranked among Jules Massenet's most admired and beloved scores it has also proved the most enduring. Yet the opera's origins remain somewhat mysterious and it...

Russsian composer Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov is mainly known from the orchestral suite 'Caucasian Sketches', which includes the much-excerpted 'Procession of the Sardar'. But even as interesting is his...

Russsian composer Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov is mainly known from the orchestral suite 'Caucasian Sketches', which includes the much-excerpted 'Procession of the Sardar'. But even as interesting is his...

Giuseppe Giordani (1751-1798) was an Italian composer, mainly of opera. Giordani is mostly know for his popular aria 'Caro mio ben'. This song is even nowadays sung by many great singers, as well male...

Giuseppe Giordani (1751-1798) was an Italian composer, mainly of opera. Giordani is mostly know for his popular aria 'Caro mio ben'. This song is even nowadays sung by many great singers, as well male...

'Cavalleria Rusticana' is a tempestuous drama of adultery and revenge set in a remote Italian village. Its earthy passions, bold confrontational scenes and richly melodic score set a fashion for so-ca...

'Cavalleria Rusticana' is a tempestuous drama of adultery and revenge set in a remote Italian village. Its earthy passions, bold confrontational scenes and richly melodic score set a fashion for so-ca...

Spanish composer Manuel de Falla composed in 1914 'Siete canciones populares españolas' (Seven Spanish Folksongs). It's a cycle of traditional Spanish songs arranged for soprano and piano by the compo...