Meyerbeer: Ballet Music from the Operas

Featuring

Michał Nesterowicz
Orquesta Sinfónica de Barcelona y Nacional de Cataluñya
Giacomo Meyerbeer

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Cultural Impact

Meyerbeer's Marche indienne from L'Africaine, choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon, stimulated and sustained the vogue for Orientalism in the later nineteenth century through its melodic ideas and exotic orchestration.

Performer Biography

The Barcelona Symphony Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Catalonia, founded in 1944, is committed to promoting classical and contemporary music, with a special focus on Catalan composers.

Composition History

The venerable tradition of the opéra-ballet, going back to Lully, required the inclusion of dance in operatic scenarios, and Meyerbeer's ballet sequences achieved legendary status.

Composer Biography

Giacomo Meyerbeer, born into a wealthy Berlin Jewish family, became one of the most significant opera composers, particularly known for his four grand operas written for the Paris Opéra.

Cultural Impact

Meyerbeer's Ballet of the Nuns in Robert le Diable, choreographed by Filippo Taglioni, initiated the entire Romantic tradition of the ballet blanc.

Cultural Impact

The dances in Meyerbeer's Le Prophète became famous for simulating skating using roller skates, and this music, along with that from L'Etoile du Nord, was adapted for Frederick Ashton's ballet Les Patineurs.

Performer Biography

Michał Nesterowicz, after winning the Cadaqués Orchestra European Conducting Competition in 2008, has conducted many major orchestras across Europe and held artistic director positions at several ensembles.