Opera Without Words

Read About This Recording

I happen to love opera; there is something about the expressivity of the human voice that gets to me. But I know that at some times and for some people the human voice can sound somewhat intrusive. Perhaps that is why whenever we've offered recordings of operatic melodies in orchestral renditions they've been big favorites. Now the Society has gone back and found this classic recording by the Boston Pops conducted by Arthur Fiedler titled Opera Without Words.

Fiedler was never shy about popularizing music, and this recording features some incredibly beautiful melodies from opera. Wagner's famous "Ride of the Valkyries" launches the disc and is well followed by hummable excerpts from Aida, Madama Butterfly, The Tales of Hoffman, Rigoletto, La Bohème and Carmen. The only problem might be that you'll probably find yourself singing along!

—Jacob Anthony

Contents

Wagner: Die Walküre; Ride of the Valkyries; Verdi: Aida; Grand March; Rigoletto; Caro nome; Puccini: Madama Butterfly; Entrance of Butterfly; Love Duet; Un bel dì; Flower Duet; Humming Chorus; Death of Butterfly; La Bohème; Che gelida manina; Mi chiamano Mimì; O soave fanciulla; Musetta's Waltz; Death of Mimì; Offenbach: The Tales of Hoffman; Barcarolle; Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana; Intermezzo; Bizet: Carmen; Habanara; Toreador Song.

The Boston Pops; Arthur Fiedler, Conductor.