Joachim Raff moved in circles that included Franz Liszt and Robert Schumann, and he ultimately became one of the best-known German composers of his day. Of Raff’s six stage works Dame Kobold (‘The Phantom Lady’) was the first of a series of comic operas that anticipated later trends, moving away from Wagnerian pathos and looking back to the levity of Rossini. Admired for its utterly gorgeous musical setting, the opera is notable for a disarmingly simple yet fast-paced plot, bewitching solos and elegantly flowing melodies, and a deftly responsive marriage of language and music.

Explore the overtures and stage music of Meyerbeer with the latest Naxos release from the Komorní filharmonie Pardubice and Dario Salvi.

Franz von Suppé became famous all over the world for the easy brilliance of his operetta melodies. He also achieved great success with theatrical stage music, including this version of Jules Verne’s adventure novel Around the World in 80 Days. Verne’s interest in science and new discoveries reflects the optimism of the late 19th century, and Suppé’s music is a perfect reflection of the light and dark in the narrative, evocatively tracking Phileas Fogg’s enterprising and at time dangerous voyage, and taking in the exotic orient and Gold Rush America along the way.

Release date: September 2022

Universally famous for his glorious overtures Light Cavalry and Poet and Peasant (Naxos 8.553935), Franz von Suppé was one of the greatest exponents of the golden Age of Viennese Operetta. But he was also a master of incidental music for popular plays, one of which is Mozart – an example of KünstlerLebensbild (‘life portrait of an artist’). Suppé’s music subtly accompanies the stage action as the story of the composition of Mozart’s music unfolds, offering a potpourri of Mozart’s works served up with Suppé’s trademark flair. Die Afrikareise presents a piquant and brilliant travelogue.

Release date: May 2022

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Mozart (Version Without Narration) : Overture · Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra · Dario Salvi

Suppé: Mozart – Incidental Music

℗ 2022 Naxos

Released on: 2022-05-27

Orchestra: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Dario Salvi

Composer: Franz von Suppé

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Mozart, Act I (Version Without Narration) : Concertino · Julie Svěcená · Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra · Dario Salvi

Suppé: Mozart – Incidental Music

℗ 2022 Naxos

Released on: 2022-05-27

Artist: Julie Svěcená

Orchestra: Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Dario Salvi

Composer: Franz von Suppé

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Adolphe Adam - Orfa (Ballet)

Rehearsals for the World Premiere performance and Recording.

Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra

Dario Salvi

Orchestra: Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Dario Salvi

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Waldmeister (Excerpts) : Ouverture · Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra · Dario Salvi

J. Strauss II: Waldmeister (Excerpts)

℗ 2021 Naxos

Released on: 2021-09-10

Orchestra: Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Dario Salvi

Composer: Johann Strauss II

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Johann Strauss II’s operetta Waldmeister (‘Woodruff’) was staged for the first time in December 1895. The plotline—a case of mistaken identity somewhat reminiscent of Die Fledermaus—is lively, but the libretto itself proved to be less than satisfying. However, the vivacious and immaculately orchestrated music featuring several pieces that would go on to become famous, including the waltz Trau, schau, wem and the polka Klipp-Klapp-Galopp, earned Strauss immense admiration. Attending the opening night with Johannes Brahms was Vienna’s leading critic Eduard Hanslick who hailed the new work by asserting that ‘Mozart’s golden sound reigns in [Strauss’s] orchestra’.

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