Rare opera by Sibelius

[Contratrombone64]

OK so I confess, I thought Jean Sibelius hadn't composed an opera. Happily I'm wrong and just listening to it for the first time. It's a one act opera in 8 scenes that is pure Sibelius. Anyone else not know if this work, oh, it's called The Maiden in the Tower.

 

[rojo]

So, what's your verdict, CT? I assume you like it if you're happy to be wrong... lol

The title is vaguely familiar, but I don't think I've heard it.

 

[marval]

I am like Rojo, I have heard the title but not the opera.


Margaret

 

[some guy]

It's a charming early work, with some of the same sound and transparency of orchestration as the Karelia Music. (That's to distinguish it from other early works like Kullervo that are more lush.)

It takes up less than forty minutes of a CD, too, so you get Pelleas et Melisande (and Valse Triste) as well, on one recording, or the Karelia suite, on another. (You can get it on a six disc set of Sibelius, too, with some stuff in it that even I don't have!)

 

[Contratrombone64]

I agree with some guy - distinctly "early Sibelius" though I'm not so gifted as to spot his compositional eras as some. Beethoven's compositional periods, for example, are so distinct ...

 

[Contratrombone64]

Rob,

I think it's lovely, must buy it. I really like his writing for the soprano especially, his choruses remind me somewhat of Wagner I guess.

So, what's your verdict, CT? I assume you like it if you're happy to be wrong... lol

The title is vaguely familiar, but I don't think I've heard it.