Pietro Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana, which premiered in Rome on May 17, 1890, is considered by some historians to mark the birth of the verismo style.
Performer Biography
The Graz Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1950, emerged from two existing Graz orchestral formations: the Städtisches Orchester and the Funkorchester der Sendergruppe Alpenland.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Verismo opera aimed to present an unembellished picture of real life, moving away from symbolism, Wagner, and historical opera.
Performer Biography
The Graz Philharmonic Orchestra has a rich tradition, having premiered Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 5 and performed Richard Strauss's Salome with the composer conducting in 1906.
Album & Artwork
The album title, "Wahrhaftig ohne Worte: Vorspiele und Intermezzi aus veristischer Zeit," translates to "Veracities without Words: Preludes and Intermezzi from the Veristic Period."
Performer Biography
Lodovico Zocche, the conductor on this album, was born in Milan and studied at conservatories in Milan, Turin, and Vienna.
Historical Context
Verismo was an Italian artistic movement from the mid-19th to early 20th century, influenced by French naturalism, aiming to depict societal problems through stark realism.
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Opera Intermezzi
Verismo
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition / Suite From Khovanshchina / A Night On the Bare Mountain
Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2
Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2
Nielsen: Symphony No. 5 & Masquerade Excerpts
Mussorgsky: St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain & Other Works
Wagner: Highlights from Operas
Wagner: Works for Orchestra
Chadwick: Symphony No. 3 - Barber: Two Orchestral Excerpts from Vanessa, Music for a Scene from Shelley & Medea's Meditation and Dance of Vengeance
