Isaac Nathan's "Don John of Austria" is a historic and captivating ballad opera that marks a significant milestone in Australian musical history. Composed by Isaac Nathan with a libretto by Jacob Levi Montefiore, this three-act opera is not just a musical piece but a journey through time, offering a unique glimpse into Australia's cultural heritage. The opera, first staged in the Victorian Theatre in Sydney, holds the distinction of being Australia's first opera, making it a pivotal work in the country's artistic landscape.
This album, released in 2011 by ABC Classic, features a live recording by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Alexander Briger. The performance is a testament to the enduring power of Nathan's composition, bringing to life the intricate dialogues, enchanting songs, and dramatic duets that make up this operatic masterpiece. With a runtime of over two hours, the album is a comprehensive exploration of Nathan's work, showcasing the depth and richness of his musical vision.
The opera's storyline, set against the backdrop of historical and personal drama, is brought to life through the skilled performances of the orchestra and vocalists. The arrangement by the renowned Sir Charles Mackerras adds a layer of authenticity and brilliance to the recording, ensuring that the essence of the original work is preserved and celebrated.
For fans of classical music and opera enthusiasts, this album is a treasure trove of musical excellence. It offers a rare opportunity to experience a piece of Australia's musical history, performed by one of the country's premier orchestras. Whether you are a seasoned opera lover or a curious newcomer, "Don John of Austria" promises a rich and rewarding listening experience.
Tracks
Don John of Austria, Act I: Overture - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 1: Chorus. Come, Merrily Sing - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 1: Dialogue. Enough of This Noise, All of You! - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Garth Holcombe, Nathan Lovejoy, Paul Whelan, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 1: Song. When a Man Has Toiled Through the Livelong Day - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Paul Whelan, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 2: Dialogue. Don John! Your Father Has Just Gone In - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Garth Holcombe, Nathan Lovejoy, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 2: Song. The Visions of Youth Fast Fade Away - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 3: Dialogue. Don John! Don John!...Father, Good Morning! - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Paul Whelan, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 3: Duet. But Stay, Don John, for This Can Never Be - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Paul Whelan, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 4: Dialogue. Tell Your Master that the Count de Santa Fiore is Here to See Him - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Grant Doyle, Mark Pegler, Nathan Lovejoy, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act 1 Scene 4: Song. I Dare Not Say How Much I Love - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Grant Doyle, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 4: Dialogue. That Dream of Her Still Haunts You? - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Grant Doyle, Mark Pegler, Paul Whelan, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 4: Duet. Yes, Sir, Yes, in These Three All Excitement is Found - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Grant Doyle, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 4: Dialogue. So Quexada Has Made a Fool of Me - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Grant Doyle, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Dialogue. My Beautiful Bride - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Sally-Anne Russell, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Song. The Days Are Gone When Judah's Voice - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Cheryl Barker, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Dialogue. Oh, the Torture of Deceiving the One You Love! - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Sally-Anne Russell, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Quintet. 'Tis She Herself, 'Tis She Herself, Her Black and Jetty Eye - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Paul Whelan, Sally-Anne Russell, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Dialogue. Jealousy is Gnawing at My Heart - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Duet. Lady, Entreaty is in Vain - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Dialogue. I Cannot Tell This Lie to My Heart - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Trio. Don John, Stay Your Steps for a While - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Grant Doyle, Paul Whelan, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act I Scene 5: Dialogue. Farewell, Noble Count, Grant Me Your Pity - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Grant Doyle, Paul Whelan, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 1: Chorus. Hark, the Solemn Bell is Calling - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 1: Dialogue. In Days Gone By - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Garth Holcombe, Jonathan Hardy, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 2: Dialogue. Poor Don John - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 2: Song. Canst Thou Bid the Hand Its Cunning Forget - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Cheryl Barker, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 2: Dialogue. I Am Here at the Appointed Hour, Senora - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Mark Pegler, Sally-Anne Russell, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 2: Duet. One Resource is Left Me - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 2: Dialogue. Hear Then, Cruel Man, Christian Without Pity - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 2: Song. By Passion Wild My Heart is Toss'd - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Grant Doyle, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 2: Dialogue. The Sword That Don John Raised Against You - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Frank Garfield, Grant Doyle, Mark Pegler, Paul Whelan, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 3: Dialogue. It Has Come to This at Last - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 3: Song. They Tell Us That a Home of Light - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Cheryl Barker, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 3: Dialogue. How Wearily the Time Glides By - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Mark Pegler, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 4: Dialogue. It's Impossible for a King to Have a Second Self in His Court - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 4: Trio. On Thy Lips Her Doom is Pending - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 4: Dialogue. A Slave, Beneath a Monk's Cowl - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Gordon Kalton Williams, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Jonathan Hardy, Paul Whelan, Steve Davislim, Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Don John of Austria, Act II Scene 4: Finale. Hail to the Star That in Glory Appears - Arr. Charles Mackerras. Live.Isaac Nathan, Cheryl Barker, Grant Doyle, Paul Whelan, Sally-Anne Russell, Steve Davislim, Sydney Philharmonia Chamber Singers, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Briger
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