Johann Strauss II - Kaiser-Walzer (Emperor Waltz), Op. 437

Strauss often played in the glittering Imperial balls, conducting the orchestra and playing the first violin at the same time.   The majestic launch of this fascinating waltz presents the backdrop of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the hegemony of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph in 1888. Johann Strauss II was Music Director of the Dance Hesperides of the Imperial Court from 1863 to 1872 and composed on occasion for the celebration of an imperial anniversary. The ingenuity of the melody of the Emperor Waltz, which was originally orchestrated for a full orchestra, is such that it was easily adapted for the four or five instruments of a chamber ensemble by the Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg in 1925. This waltz is a tender and somewhat melancholic work, which at times turns its gaze nostalgically to the old Vienna. The waltz praises the majesty and dignity of the old monarch, who was fully devoted to his people. It begins with a majestic, magnificent march, which soon re
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Verdi - La Traviata

The premiere of this opera, based on Alexandrs Duma's play "La Dame aux Camélias", which Verdi saw in Paris, was a failure. This is mainly due to the fact that on the night of the premiere in Venice, the protagonist was so fat that when "dying" on stage of tuberculosis, the audience erupted into uncontrollable laughter. Much to Verdi's delight, it was triumplahntly played again in the same city 14 months later, after international acclaim.


In this opera, the courtesan Violetta kindly sacrifices her love for Alfredo by obeying his father's desire, and die of tuberculosis, the moment Alfredo turns to her.

- Libiamo

The curtain opens with a celebration in Violetta's house and Alfredo in a lively mood begins the famous song of the drinking, Libiamo (Let's drink), in which Violetta joins her voice with enthusiasm and then with all the guests.


- Di Provenza il mar, il suoi

However, the couple's happiness is brief. Alfredo's father, worried about his son's reputation, is calling on Violett to abandon him. She retreats and leaves for Paris, while the father comforts his som with memories of their home in Provence in Di Provenza il mar, il suol (The land and sea of Provence).


- Addio del passato

The opera ends with Violett in the bed of death, where in one of Verdi's most moving arias, Addio del passato (Goodbye Dreams of the Past), abandons every dream of happiness.


- Parigi, o cara, noi lasce remo

Then Alfredro appears and after a touching reunion, the couple sings the polite, Parigi, o cara, noi lasce remo (We will live in Paris, my love). But Violett is helpless from the disease even to dress up and dies in Alfredo's arms.



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