Usually, "opera without words" is a term applied to recordings of operatic selections with all the vocal parts removed or played by instruments, and this sub-genre of classical music has had its share of fans, especially those who collected André Kostelanetz's opera-themed albums from the late 1960s. They may be a little disappointed, however, with Berlin Classics' triple-disc compilation, Senza Parole, also titled Oper Ohne Wort and Opera Without Words, because it really is a collection of famous opera overtures and ...
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Usually, "opera without words" is a term applied to recordings of operatic selections with all the vocal parts removed or played by instruments, and this sub-genre of classical music has had its share of fans, especially those who collected André Kostelanetz's opera-themed albums from the late 1960s. They may be a little disappointed, however, with Berlin Classics' triple-disc compilation, Senza Parole, also titled Oper Ohne Wort and Opera Without Words, because it really is a collection of famous opera overtures and popular orchestral excerpts, rather than a "music minus one" treatment of arias or scenes. With that clarification, this is an attractive collection of many the best-known concert staples taken from the operas of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner, Georges Bizet, Johann Strauss II, Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Giuseppe Verdi, Bedrich Smetana, Jacques Offenbach and fifteen other composers. The performances are led by a number of well-known conductors associated over the years with Berlin...
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