RESOUNDING ECHOES: From August 2022, Robert McCarney's regular series features little-known twentieth century classical composers.
SPONSORED: CD Spotlight. Perfect Indeed - More Beethoven from James Brawn, recommended by Andrew Schartmann.
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French composer Gustave Charpentier, born in the Moselle on 25 June 1860, died in Paris on 18 February 1956. An affair with a young seamstress was the inspiration for his most successful work, the opera Louise (completed 1896). He used income from performances to found the Conservatoire Populaire Mimi Pinson to teach music to working class girls.
Ensemble. Appreciation of Nature - Maria Nockin reviews a 'Met Stars' online concert from the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, featuring Anna Netrebko, Elena Maximova and Pavel Nebolsin
CD Spotlight. An Absolute Soprano - Giuseppe Pennisi listens to a recording by Marina Rebeka. '... perfect emission ... consummate technical skills ...'
Ensemble. Frustratingly Patchy - Charpentier's 'Louise', reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. An Interesting Idea - Opera North's 'From Paris with Love', reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Outstanding Playing - An organ recital by John Kitchen, heard by Mike Wheeler
DVD Spotlight. A Disparate Experiment - 'Aria - Special Edition', reviewed by Howard Smith. 'You never know what you're gonna get.'
Ensemble. A Special Privilege - Massenet's 'Don Quichotte' in San Diego, enjoyed by Maria Nockin