Andre Rieu – The Emperor Waltz (Kaiserwalzer) 2008

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Andre Rieu – The Emperor Waltz (Kaiserwalzer) 2008

Uploaded on Jan 5, 2009

Andre Rieu – The Emperor Waltz (Kaiserwalzer) 2008

Johann Strauss, Kaiser Walzer, op.437

Kaiser-Walzer op. 437 (Emperor Waltz) is a waltz composed by Johann Strauss II in 1889. The famous waltz was originally titled ‘Hand in Hand’ and was intended as a toast made in August of that year by Austrian emperor Franz Josef on the occasion of his visit to the German Kaiser Wilhelm II where it was symbolic as a ‘toast of friendship’ extended by Austria to Germany.

Gioachino Rossini – Il barbiere di Siviglia – “Largo al factotum della citta” (Alan Opie)

Gioachino Rossini – Il barbiere di Siviglia – “Largo al factotum della citta” (Alan Opie) (in English)

LindoroRossini

It’s fitting that the opera’s title hero gets the first word, so here is his big aria.

Like most of Rossini’s best pieces, Figaro’s opening cavatina doesn’t follow a rigid structure of “cantabile – cabaletta”. The opening section seems to form the main theme which returns several times throughout the piece with contrasting sections providing expressive opportunities (one – lyrical, the other – fast, furious, just as the people who enlist Figaro’s help). The piece never really went out of fashion and still remains one of the staples in the repertoire of any good baritone. The piece is so good that you would have to be a bad singer or just a charmless bloke to stop it from charming the audience.

Here Alan Opie sings the part of Figaro. His manner is a bit on the loud side, but it suits the character of the self-assured barber. Enjoy :)!

• Music

  • “Act I Scene 2: Cavatina: La la la lera (Figaro)” by Bruce Ford (Google Play • AmazonMP3 • iTunes • eMusic)