Smillie, Thomson

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Bellini: La sonnambula

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2008-11-25

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Bellini's "La sonnambula", narration with musical examples
Performers: Timson, David
Conductors: Zedda, Alberto

'La sonnambula' was written by Bellini as a vehicle for two of the supreme singers of his age and accordingly is a fine example of...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Monteverdi: Orfeo

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2008-11-25

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Monteverdi's "Orfeo", narration with musical examples
Performers: Timson, David
Conductors: Vartolo, Sergio

Monteverdi's 'Orfeo', first performed in 1607, generates a special excitement because it is the first unquestioned masterpiece of opera. Notable for its precise orchestration and...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Mozart's 'Don Giovanni'

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2008-08-26

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Mozart's "Don Giovanni", narration with musical excerpts
Performers: Daniel, Boaz; Girolami, Renato; Kerl, Torsten; Monarcha, Janusz; Pieczonka, Adrianne; Raimondi, Ildiko; Schörg, Regina; Skovhus, Bo [Baritone Vocal]
Conductors: Halász, Michael

The 'Opera Explained' series introduces in words and music, the plot and background of major operas. Using the principal themes and arias, taken from the...continue...

An Introduction to J. Strauss, Jr.'s Die Fledermaus

1 CD / Naxos (USA) Import / 2007-02-13

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Johann Strauss, Jr.'s "Die Fledermaus", narration with musical examples
Performers: Dickie, John [Tenor Vocal]; Fontana, Gabriele; Hopferweiser, Josef; Karawautz, Brigitte; Yachmi, Rohangiz
Conductors: Wildner, Johannes

Thomson Smillie and David Timson infuse their exploration of 'Die Fledermaus' with as much life as the operetta itself. The most rewarding and memorable extracts...continue...

Opera Explained - Massenet: Werther

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2005-07-19

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Massenet's "Werther", narration with musical examples
Performers: Azzaretti, Jael; Bou, Jean-Sebastien; Delescluse, Jean; Haddock, Marcus; Jacob, Mathilde; Marliere, Jean-Philippe; Massis, Rene; Roubaud, David; Uria-Monzon, Beatrice
Conductors: Casadesus, Jean-Claude
Ensemble: Lille National Orchestra

This edition of the acclaimed Naxos series Opera Explained focuses on Massenet's 'Werther', which combines a deeply tender story with music of beauty and eloquence....continue...

Opera Explained - Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2005-04-19

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Debussy's "Pelléas et Mélisande", narration with musical examples
Performers: Arapian, Armand; Bacquier, Gabriel; Delunsch, Mireille; Doumene, Jean-Jacques; Golfier, Francoise; Jossoud, Helene; Theruel, Gerard
Conductors: Casadesus, Jean-Claude

Debussy's 'Pelleas et Melisande' is a landmark of 19th century opera, and one of the composer's greatest achievements. Fans of this series know the rewarding...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Verdi: Falstaff

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2005-01-18

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Verdi's "Falstaff", narration with musical examples
Performers: Bonitatibus, Anna; Comencini, Maurizio; Cosentino, Alessandro; Dilber; Facini, Enrico; Faulkner, Julie; Grandis, Franco de; Servile, Roberto; Trimarchi, Domenico [Bass-Baritone Vocal]
Conductors: Humburg, Will

Verdi's 'Falstaff' repays careful study with real pleasure. It is opera's happiest irony that the great Italian master should cap a career - distinguished for...continue...

Opera Explained - Puccini: Turandot

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2004-11-16

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Puccini's "Turandot", narration with musical excerpts
Performers: Ariostini, Armando; Bartolini, Lando; Bou, Felipe; Casolla, Giovanna; Deguci, Masako; Esteve, Vicente; Garcia-Quijada, Jose A.; Gerrikabeitia, Gorka; Heredia, Francisco; Mas, Javier
Conductors: Rahbari, Alexander

This installment of the Opera Explained series tackles 'Turandot', one of Puccini's grandest and most sweeping operas. The opera was nearly completed when Puccini died,...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Rossini: Tancredi

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2004-09-21

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Rossini's "Tancredi", narration with musical examples
Performers: Jo, Sumi; Micco, Anna Maria di; Olsen, Stanford; Podles, Ewa; Spagnoli, Pietro
Conductors: Zedda, Alberto
Ensemble: Collegium Instrumentale Brugense

Rossini was already experiencing success when he composed 'Tancredi', but the success of this dramatic opera took his career to the next level. A classic...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Leoncavallo: Pagliacci

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2004-06-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci", narration with musical examples
Performers: Dvorsky, Miroslav; Gauci, Miriam; Martinucci, Nicola; Skovhus, Bo [Baritone Vocal]; Tumagian, Eduard
Conductors: Rahbari, Alexander

'Pagliacci' may be the most completely compelling short opera in the repertory and owes much of its impact to a brilliant story based, it is...continue...

Opera Explained - Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2004-03-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana", narration with musical examples
Performers: Aragall, Giacomo; Bechi, Gino; Evstatieva, Stefka; Gigli, Beniamino; Marcucci, Maria; Mauro, Anna di; Rasa, Lina Bruna; Tumagian, Eduard
Conductors: Rahbari, Alexander; Mascagni, Pietro
Ensemble: Milan Teatro alla Scala Orchestra; Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bratislava

'Cavalleria Rusticana' is the short opera that has all the elements of a grand opera compressed into a single highly dramatic time span. The story...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introdution to Verdi: Il trovatore

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2003-11-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Verdi's 'Il trovatore", narration with musical examples
Performers: Csonka, Zsuzsa; Frusoni, Maurizio; Grandis, Franco de; Longhi, Daniela; Mukk, Jozsef [Tenor Vocals]; Servile, Roberto; Tschistiakova, Irina
Conductors: Humburg, Will

This series introduces, in words and music, the plot and background of major operas. 'Il Trovatore' has been ruthlessly parodied. It is a tale of...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Donizettti: L'Elisir

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2003-10-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore", narration with musical examples
Performers: Alaimo, Simone [Bass Baritone Vocal]; Frontiali, Roberto; La Scola, Vincenzo; Ruffini, Alessandra; Spotorno, Mariangela
Conductors: Morandi, Pier G.

This series introduces, in words and music, the plot and background of major operas. 'L'Elisir D'Amore', or 'The Elixir of Love', has remained popular for...continue...

Opera Explained - Introduction to Mozart: Marriage of Figaro

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2003-08-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro", narration with musical examples
Performers: Ötvös, Csilla; Bator, Tamas; Carolis, Natale de; Frontiali, Roberto; Gulyás, Dénes; Ionata, Maria Pia; Kertesi, Ingrid; Mukk, József [Tenor Vocals]; Nemeth, Judit; Pace...
Conductors: Morandi, Pier G.

This series introduces the plot and background of major operas. Many opera-lovers would name 'The Marriage of Figaro' as their favourite opera. It appeals to...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Beethoven: Fidelio

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2003-05-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Beethoven's "Fidelio", narration with musical examples

'Fidelio' is a work like no other. Beethoven's only opera is about the joy of married love - by a man who never knew that...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Wagner: Flying Dutchman

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2002-11-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman", narration with musical examples

Naxos' "Opera Explained" series presents this Introduction to Wagner; an audio-original written by Thomson Smillie and Narrated by David Timson. "The Flying Dutchman" is the...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Mozart: The Magic Flute

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2002-10-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Mozart's "The Magic Flute," narration with muiscal examples

Part of Naxos' "Opera Explained" series, a program in words and music which explores the world's great operas, this volume presents a masterpiece that can...continue...

Opera Explained-An Introduction to Puccini: Madama Butterfly

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2002-09-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Puccini's "Madama Butterfly," narration with musical examples

Madama Butterfly really does run the gamut of operatic emotion. The title heroine has a fragility wonderfully expressed in her entry music, deep sexual instincts...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Verdi: La Traviata

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2002-09-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Verdi's "La Traviata," narration with musical examples
Performers: Krause, Monika; Ramiro, Yordy; Tichy, Georg
Conductors: Rahbari, Alexander
Ensemble: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra

"La Traviata" owes its enduring popularity to a superb story of young love and fatal sacrifice, set to music by Italy's master melodist at the...continue...

Opera Explained - An Introduction to Puccini: La Bohème

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2002-07-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Puccini's "La bohème", narration with musical examples
Performers: Gonzales, Carmen; Orgonasova, Luba; Previati, Fabio; Welch, Jonathon
Conductors: Humburg, Will
Ensemble: Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bratislava

'La Boheme' is one of three operas believed to be the most popular ever written. In the case of 'La Boheme' the reason is that...continue...

Classics Explained - An Introduction to Puccini: Tosca

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2002-07-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Puccini's "Tosca", narration with musical examples; An Introduction to Verdi's "Aida", narration with musical examples
Performers: Carroli, Silvano; Lamberti, Giorgio; Miricioiu, Nelly
Conductors: Rahbari, Alexander

'Tosca' is Puccini at the peak of his theatrical power. The story of the jealous, impassioned opera singer Floria Tosca and her doomed lovve for...continue...

Classics Explained - An Introduction to Bizet: Carmen

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2002-07-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Bizet's "Carmen", narration with musical examples
Performers: Alperyn, Graciela; Lamberti, Giorgio; Palade, Doina; Titus, Alan
Conductors: Rahbari, Alexander
Ensemble: Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra Bratislava

'Carmen' is among the most popular operas for all the obvious reasons: great characters, a gripping story and fabulous music. But what set it on...continue...

Classics Explained - An Introduction to Verdi: Rigoletto

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2002-07-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Verdi's "Rigoletto", narration with musical examples
Performers: Ferrarini, Alida; Ramiro, Yordy; Tumagian, Eduard
Conductors: Rahbari, Alexander

'Rigoletto' is simply wonderful entertainment. It is uncanny to listen to the opening ten minutes or so and recognize a dozen superb tunes. It is...continue...

Opera Explained - Rossini: The Barber of Seville / Timson

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2001-07-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Rossini's "The Barber of Seville", narration with musical examples

"The Barber of Seville" is Rossini's most popular opera. Its effervescent overture presents a perfect platform for the amusing plot in which the barber, Figaro,...continue...

Opera Explained - Verdi: Aida / Timson

1 CD / Naxos (USA) / 2001-07-01

Works: Thomson Smillie: An Introduction to Verdi's "Aida", narration with musical examples

Ancient Egypt and the war with Ethiopia is the setting for Verdi's grandest opera. It is the story of the love between Rhadames, the Egyptian...continue...