Barber's work The Lovers was created during a period when his romantic and domestic partnership with opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti was deteriorating, and he was still affected by the failure of his opera Antony and Cleopatra.
Historical Context
The despair in Barber's The Lovers reflects his personal struggles, including societal prejudice against homosexuality and worsening alcoholism.
Interpretation
For this recording, composer Robert Kyr created new chamber orchestrations for Barber's The Lovers and Easter Chorale, transforming an 80-piece ensemble into a 15-player chamber orchestra to enhance intimacy.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Barber's choral works, like his instrumental music, demonstrate his ability to write emotive music within sophisticated structures, resulting in pieces of extraordinary beauty and difficulty.
Composer Biography
Samuel Barber, the composer, is noted for his unabashed romanticism and lyrical music, which set him apart from many contemporaries and continues to make his work shine.
Performer Biography
Conspirare, the choir on this album, is an internationally recognized professional choral organization known for its vocal artistry and innovative programming, led by founder Craig Hella Johnson.
Recording & Production
Conspirare's recordings on the harmonia mundi label have received multiple Grammy® nominations, including for Best Choral Performance and Best Classical Album.
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