Entries from August 2007
(A) Introduction
When searching for info on Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty I kept seeing references to this symphony. Evidently it’s one of his best-known works, and seems to be considered one of his greatest.
This was Tchaikovsky’s last work. In fact, he died nine days after the premiere. Here’s where the classical music tabloids come in, though. Officially, he died of cholera, which he contracted when he drank a glass of unboiled water at the height of a cholera epidemic in St. Petersburg. But rumour has it he was either poisoned or committed suicide in order to cover up a homosexual affair with a member of the nobility. In fact, the fourth movement of the symphony is seen by some people as his ‘farewell to life’ before he died. Imagine, a Romantic composer dying in a cloud of scandal over his love life!
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Categories: Metalhead does Classical
(A) Introduction
Aurora’s been pricked and put to sleep by Carabosse’s curse, and the rest of the kingdom falls asleep with her. The Canadian Opera Company did a nifty little effect at the end of Act I to show the forest encroaching. A century passes.
(B) Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66 (Acts II and III)
Act II
A hundred years later, Prince Florimund (sometimes called Prince Desire – either way, a lousy name for a guy) is at a hunting party but he’s wistful and forlorn. The Lilac Fairy appears to him, showing him nude pics a vision of Aurora. He’s smitten, and the Fairy guides him to the sleeping kingdom. He defeats Carabosse, kisses Aurora, and proposes to her. The guy moves faster than I do…
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Categories: Metalhead does Classical
(A) Introduction
After listening to the madness of Edgar Varese I’m ready to retreat back into more traditional territory. Last winter I went to see my very first ballet, at my fiancée’s behest. I thought I was doing it to indulge her, because the whole notion of ballet didn’t really seem very exciting to me. A bunch of doll-like ballerinas and pantyhosed men prancing around on stage? Feh.
By the end of it, I was surprised at how entertained I was by it. Good God, I’m a ballet fan! Don’t tell my headbanger friends!
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Categories: Metalhead does Classical
