Joseph Martin Kraus' opera Aeneas in Carthage ignited interest and curiosity even in a time when Kraus' name was not particularly well known. Its libretto was written by Swedish King Gustav III, and the original version of the opera -- never staged -- was six hours long, the longest opera written to that time. In order to defray the rather expensive undertaking of a production, Kraus was permitted to withdraw it and take some time off to polish the work, a process that took a full 10 years. It was finally finished in 1791, ...
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Joseph Martin Kraus' opera Aeneas in Carthage ignited interest and curiosity even in a time when Kraus' name was not particularly well known. Its libretto was written by Swedish King Gustav III, and the original version of the opera -- never staged -- was six hours long, the longest opera written to that time. In order to defray the rather expensive undertaking of a production, Kraus was permitted to withdraw it and take some time off to polish the work, a process that took a full 10 years. It was finally finished in 1791, but not heard until 1799 and by that time both the King and Kraus were dead. Act V's aria "O Gudar! Styrken mig" (Oh Gods! Strengthen Me) was a rare survivor among Kraus' output, appearing as a recital piece on Swedish concert programs throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Although the title below the name of this Naxos release reads "Aeneas in Carthage -- Opera," one should pay strict attention to the subtitle, "Overtures, Ballet Music and Marches," because that's what it is; not...
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