Arensky, A.S.: Raphael [Opera] / Songs and Romances

Featuring

Constantine Orbelian
Marina Domashenko
Tatiana Pavlovskaya
Alexander Vinogradov
Vsevolod Grivnov
Philharmonia of Russia

Russia Spiritual Revival Choir
Anton Arensky

Did you know?

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Performer Biography

Constantine Orbelian, the conductor on this album, is the first American to become music director of an ensemble in Russia, leading the Moscow Chamber Orchestra since 1991.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Leo Tolstoy, the famous Russian novelist, considered Anton Arensky the best among new composers, praising his simplicity and melodiousness.

Recording & Production

The Spiritual Revival Choir of Russia, featured on this album, was founded in 1992 at the end of the Soviet era, inspired by Russia's new-found spiritual freedom.

Compositional Technique

Arensky's opera 'Raffaello' features a mezzo-soprano in the title role and charming duo episodes that foreshadow Richard Strauss's 'Der Rosenkavalier'.

Performer Biography

Constantine Orbelian was awarded the title 'Honored Artist of Russia' by President Putin in 2004, a title never before given to a non-Russian citizen.

Composition History

Arensky's opera 'Raffaello' was commissioned by the Moscow Society of Art Lovers for the opening of the Tretyakov Art Gallery, a major museum of Russian art.

Composer Biography

Anton Arensky, a student of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, taught at the Moscow Conservatory for 13 years and became Director of the Imperial Capella in St. Petersburg.