Christian Benda Radio ShowIf the purpose of an opera overture is to prepare the audience for the mood and emotions of the opera that follows, Rossini was a master. And yet, the overture was almost an after-thought to him. Rossini usually composed it last – often just before the opera’s opening night. In this podcast, Rick Phillips dips into all four volumes of the Naxos complete Rossini Overtures series, offering insight and background. Listen to it.NEW ON NAXOS: Christian Benda conducts Rossini Vol. 4The Complete Rossini Overtures by Christian Benda and the Prague Sinfonia Orchestra: Rossini’s ceaseless wit and invention are best exemplified in his series of operas. His colourful orchestration and command of both comic and tragic elements can be savoured in Naxos’s complete series of symphonic overtures, either in four standard CD volumes or the spectacular sonics of the two Blu-ray Audio discs.Christian Benda conducts Rossini Vol. 3Here is volume 3 of the series: Curtain up for a Ball of a Time. Here is an enthusiastic review: Heraldscotland.com.Christian Benda on RCA RED SEALRCA RED SEAL releases 'Bruch Max / de Sarasate Pablo' CD with Prague Sinfonia, Christian Benda as conductor and Fabrizio von Arx, violin. Info: press paper, back cover.Christian Benda conducts Rossini Vol. 2“Actually there were lots of discoveries. Many of these pieces, some of them very beautiful, are simply never performed. It was a pleasure and a privilege to discover them.” – Christian Benda on recording the complete Rossini Overtures.Christian Benda conducts RossiniTogether with the Prague Sinfonia and the Prague Philharmonic Choir, the conductor Christian Benda has recorded the complete overtures by Gioachino Rossini for Naxos. Here is the highly anticipated first volume of the series. Here are enthusiastic reviews.Teatro San Carlo, Napoli: Christian Benda, Fabrizio Von Arx, Prague Sinfonia Orchestra  
Dal 16 al 17 marzo 2013Teatro di San Carlo Direttore: Christian BendaViolino solista: Fabrizio Von Arx Prague Sinfonia Orchestra 
Spettacolo Stagione Sinfonica 2012-2013 Wolfgang Amadeus MozartDer Schauspieldirektor, Ouvertüre KV. 486 Max BruchViolin Concerto n. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 Pablo de SarasateFantasie sur Carmen, Op. 25 Wolfgang Amadeus MozartSinfonia Haffner n. 35, in re maggiore K. 385 Click here for more informations.Vaclav Havel: 5 oct 1936 - 18 dec 2011Vaclav: Vision, Action, Crossroads, Liberty, Altruism, Voice.Havel: Heart, Artist, Velvet, Evolution, Love. Photo. SCHUBERT Complete OverturesPrague Sinfonia Orchestra and Christian Benda now on Blu-Ray Audio. Schubert wrote his first theatrical work when he was fourteen and his hopes of success in the genre, never truly realised, were long lasting. He wrote concert overtures and music for Singspiele (Song-plays), in some of which he was guided by his teacher, Salieri. The music for the melodrama Die Zauberharfe (The Magic Harp) is better known as the Overture to Rosamunde, but evidence of his captivating vitality, tunefulness and theatricality is everywhere to be heard. Of volume 1 of the CD release (8.570328) the American Record Guide wrote: ‘The Prague players relish these sun-lit and tuneful pieces and respond with great enthusiasm and affection.’ Sound format: PCM Stereo / DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Note: This Blu-ray Audio Disc is only playable on Blu-ray Disc players and not compatible with standard CD or DVD players. SCHUBERT Complete Overtures.Orchestra Filarmonica di TorinoChristian Benda has been appointed First Guest Conductor of the Turin Philharmonic Orchestra. The Turin Philharmonic Orchestra was born in April 1992 after ten years of activity under the denomination of Turin Philharmonics, period during which important co-productions have been realized with the Turin RAI National Symphony Orchestra. The Turin Philharmonic Orchestra performs in Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Far East, and has collaborated with numerous prestigious conductors, among which Aldo Ceccato, Sergiu Celibidache, Victor Dubrovskij, Carlo Maria Giulini, James Levine, Giuseppe Patané, Guennadi Rojdestvenski, Thomas Sanderling, Marcello Viotti, and with worldknown soloists such as Boris Belkin, Andrea Bocelli, Walter Boeykens, Maurice Bourgue, Bruno Canino, Eugene Istomin, Alexander Lonquich, Shlomo Mintz, Ruggero Raimondi, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Mstislav Rostropovic, Maxim Vengerov.Wiener StaatsoperIn collaboration with the Wiener Staatsoper and Diana Kienast he shall present a short version of Mozart's Magic Flute. [Deutsch] „Eine grossartige Idee!“ So der Tenor der begeisterten Reaktionen, als Staatsoperndirektor Ioan Holender waehrend der Fernsehuebertragung des Opernballs ein Konzert ankuendigte, das kuenftig jedes Jahr am Tag nach diesem gesellschaftlichen Grossereignis im Aufbau und in der Dekoration des Opernballs stattfinden wird. Nun ist es erstmals soweit: das Orchester wird zunaechst fuer mehr als 3500 Jugendliche aus den Bundeslaendern, um dann fuer weitere 3500 Jugendliche aus Wien — anhand eines Querschnitts durch Mozarts Zauberfloete die Instrumente des Orchesters und ihr Zusammenwirken mit den Saengern erklaeren. Dass sich der Musikdirektor der Wiener Staatsoper hoechstpersoenlich fuer diese Idee stark macht, kommt nicht von ungefaehr. Mit solchen Konzerten kann man tausende von Jugendlichen fuer klassische Musik begeistern. „Das ist gar nicht so einfach in einer Welt, in der es so viele Attraktivitaeten fuer Jugendliche gibt“. „Aber wir sollten den Jugendlichen nicht vorenthalten, wie schoen der Klang einer Violine oder einer Floete ist, und wie wunderbar es ist, wenn sich die Instrumente mit der menschlichen Stimme vereinigen.“Die Oberspielleiterin der Wiener Staatsoper Diana Kienast laesst Tamino, Pamina, die Koenigin der Nacht, Sarastro, Monostatos und natuerlich Papageno nicht nur in Kostuemen auftreten, sie hat sich auch einige szenische Effekte einfallen lassen, um die Geschichte der Zauberfloete zu erzaehlen. Eine wesentliche Rolle spielt dabei Papageno, der von seinen Abenteuern berichten wird. Nicht nur von der kuenstlerischen Seite her, auch organisatorisch stellen diese beiden Konzerte viele Mitarbeiter der Wiener Staatsoper, insbesonders jene von Technik, Licht und Akustik sowie die Gebaeudeverwaltung, vor grossen Herausforderungen — und dies unmittelbar nach dem Opernball, den man auch nicht gerade als Kleinigkeit bezeichnen kann. Der Enthusiasmus ist gross, gilt es doch, den Jugendlichen etwas zu vermitteln, das zum Schoensten gehoert, was die europaeische Kultur hervorgebracht hat: Musik und Oper. [English] 'A great idea!' So the enthusiastic response when State Opera Director Ioan Holender, during the television broadcast of the Opera ball, a concert announced which, in future, would be held each year on the day after this social event, in the scenery and decoration of the Opera ball. Now, for the first time, everything is ready: the orchestra shall perform, at first, for over 3500 young people from the Laender, and then for other 3500 young people from Vienna. Based on a cross section through Mozart's Magic Flute, the instruments of the orchestra and their interaction with the singers will be explained to the audience. The fact the Music Director of the Vienna State Opera himself strongly supports this idea, is not surprising. With such concerts thousands of young people can be inspired for classical music. 'This is not so easy in a world where there are so many attractions for the young generationBut we should not refrain them from discovering how beautiful the sound of a violin or a flute is, and how wonderful it is when the instruments join the human voice'. The Upper Stage Director of Vienna State Opera, Diana Kienast, lets Tamino, Pamina, the Queen of the night, Sarastro, Monostatos and of course Papageno appear, not only in costumes, she also prepared some scenic effects to tell the story of the magic flute. An important role plays Papageno reporting his adventures. These two concerts challenge many Vienna State Opera collaborators, not only from the artistic point of view but also for the organization, and for those having to master technique, light and acoustics as well as for the house management, and this immediately after the Opera ball, which is not a small event. The enthusiasm is great, given the fact it will convey to the younger generation something which belongs to the most beautiful achievements of European culture: music and opera.The Clocks of the WorldLes Horloges Du Monde - The Clocks Of The World - Die Weltenuhren. This is a new movie project and here is the prologue. |