Janos Gereben <[log in to unmask]> writes: >Re.: posts concerning obscure Erkel operas*, let me assure you that >musically discerning non-chauvinists are not all that crazy even about >his big numbers: "Bank ban" and "Hunyadi Laszlo." Certainly, from >personal experience, when you're force-fed one or the other (or both) >week after week... you are really grateful for "Halka" or anything >Polish or Czech. I suppose if you'd been force-fed Erkel, that might well be the case. I have to say, though, that as a complete innocent (though I hope a musically discerning one!) both those operas thrilled me greatly when I heard them live in Budapest a few years ago. "Bank Ban" in particular (albeit in the streamlined version concocted by Erkel's son after his death) is a great discovery for anyone who already loves the Czech repertoire and is looking for something similar-but-different from Smetana and Dvorak. "Bank Ban" is echt-Slav national tragedy, with sweeping folk scenes, court intrigue, mad-scenes and blood on the floor; but with a Verdian cantilena and fistfuls of tunes which linger long in the memory. And for once, there is a truly marvellous, red-blooded CD version (on Teldec, taken from the feature film soundtrack) starring Andrea Rost and Attila Reti. Very highly recommended - I for one *am* crazy about "Bank Ban"! Christopher Webber, Blackheath, London, UK http://www.zarzuela.net "ZARZUELA!" The Spanish Music Site *********************************************** The CLASSICAL mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's HDMail High Deliverability Mailer for reliable, lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html