Carthage, Troy, Berlioz and us in 2021.

The ruins of the ancient City of Carthage have been excavated and remain an important historic site in Tunisia. Over the last 5 or 6 years I have corresponded with colleagues there including Hannibal Alliance in Tunis after Tunisia won the Nobel Peace Prize. Hector Berlioz’ opera from the 19th century echoes this tumultuous history and The Fall of Carthage. Opera Daily 🎶 — Les TroyensOpera Daily This week’s theme is French Opera Today we’re listening to Shirley Verrett, and Nicolai Gedda sing the love duet, “Nuit d’ivresse et d’extase infinie”, from Act IV of Hector Berlioz’s Les Troyens. Thank you to one of our members (moi) for pointing me in this directionRead → Top FirstNew FirstTop FirstChronological Daniel P QuinnBerlioz is grateful too. Every night Berlioz’ Father read him the AENEID as a bedtime story which became part of his artistry as a composer. It was never heard complete in Paris in his lifetime and for 90 years until the Royal Opera House did it in the 1950’s with brutal cuts. LES TROYENS was vilified by critics for almost a century and one remarked that Berlioz was buried under the Wall of Troy. Nonetheless, you work here is extremely important for LES TROYENS and Berlioz in Century 21.Opera Daily:I am looking forward to going deeper. It’s mind boggling to me how moved he was as a child by Virgil’s poetry. To say he was a genius feels like it falls short when describing him. Daniel P Quinn BTW Les Troyens (4 hours) started at 7pm- ended before midnight The Met premiere breezed by in waves of exhiliration, rhapsody and sensuality. Each Chorus, Dance, Solo, Interlude or Duet were breathtaking. The orchestration a miracle. Wagner’s RING falls short by comparison. 1 Reply