Tonight, we’re watching another Billy Wilder film – The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970).
I’ve never seen this particular Wilder film. But I’m hoping it’s as good as some of his other classics, for example: Some Like it Hot, Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 17, Double Indemnity, and The Apartment.
As for today’s Mozart opera, it’s another great CD.
I don’t have much to add to my praise for this opera (Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail, K384) that I didn’t say in yesterday’s post.
It’s a Singspiel, which means there are spoken parts (like a play) and sung parts (like an opera).
The music is interesting, the spoken parts are compelling (even though I don’t understand German), and the “feel” of the opera is enjoyable.
If you want to know more about it, visit its entry on Wikipedia.
Here is what I listened to today, complete with the best guesses of scholars regarding where and when each composition was penned. This information was pieced together from The Compactothèque book + CD, which is an essential purchase if you want the fullest enjoyment from the Philips Complete Mozart Edition. It’s only about $8 and the sampler CD, alone, is remarkably enjoyable. But the booklet is gold, Jerry! Gold! Keep in mind, some of these places and dates are merely guesses. But I find it fascinating to see even guesses for some of these compositions. They help me put Mozart’s life and creative output in perspective.
For example, Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart was born on 27 January 1756. With that in mind, take a look at where and when these pieces were composed. I’ll add Mozart’s approximate age in the parenthetical data below each composition:
1. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 2 – “Ah, daß es schon vorbei wäre!” (Franz Rudnick)
2. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 2 – “Frisch zum Kampfe” (Robert Tear)
3. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 2 – “Ha! Geht’s hier so lustig zu?” (Franz Rudnick)
4. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 2 – “Vivat Bacchus! Bacchus lebe!” (Robert Tear)
5. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 2 – “Hör, Alter, trink nicht zu viel” (Renate Pichler)
6. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 2 – “Wenn der Freude Tränen fließen” (Stuart Burrows)
7. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 2 – “Ach Belmonte! Ach, mein Leben!” (Christiane Eda-Pierre)
8. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 2 – “Wenn unsrer Ehre wegen”
9. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Ich baue ganz auf deine Stärke” (Stuart Burrows)
10. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Alles liegt auf dem Ohr” (Friedhelm Ptok)
11. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “In Mohrenland gefangen war” (Stuart Burrows)
12. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Endlich, sie macht auf, Herr” (Renate Pichler)
13. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Ha, wie will ich triumphieren”
14. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Was ist das für ein Lärm?” (Curd Jürgens)
15. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Welch ein Geschick!” (Christiane Eda-Pierre)
16. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Meinetwegen willst du sterben!” (Christiane Eda-Pierre)
17. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Nun, Belmonte Lostados!” (Curd Jürgens)
18. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 3 – “Nie werd’ ich deine Huld verkennen” – “Bassa Selim lebe lange” (Christiane Eda-Pierre)
Vienna, May 29, 1782 (Mozart was 26)
I don’t often like operas, even ones written by Mozart. But this is one I enjoyed. Go figure.
You can call me Amadeus. But don't expect me to answer to that.
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