Gluck: Alceste, Wq. 44 (Sung in French) [Live Recordings 1981]
10/28/2014, 42 Tracks, 2:26:21
Featuring
Sir Charles Mackerras
Dame Janet Baker
Philip Gelling
Maldwyn Davies
Robert Tear
Jonathan Summers
John Shirley-Quirk
Matthew Best
Maurits Sillem
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden
Chorus of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden
Christoph Willibald Gluck
Did you know?
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Recording & Production
The twelve performances in this collection were recorded at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, between 1955 and 1997.
Historical Context
Covent Garden Opera's first performance was on January 14, 1947, leading to significant achievements in the following decade, including nurturing a native company and presenting new operas.
Historical Context
In the 1950s, Covent Garden Opera's policy was generally to perform in English, but the 1955 production of Otello was sung in Italian with an international cast.
Performer Biography
Rafael Kubelík, a symphonic specialist and self-exiled Czech conductor, was a surprising choice for Musical Director at Covent Garden in 1955.
Recording & Production
All recordings in this collection were produced and broadcast by the BBC, with digital remastering by Re:Sound UK Ltd. or Roger Beardsley.
Performer Biography
Karl Rankl, Covent Garden's first Musical Director, was known more for his determination in building an ensemble from scratch than for his conducting performances.
Historical Context
A full-time opera company at Covent Garden was only established after World War II, with a manifesto in 1945 aiming to make it an independent international opera house.
