Vol. 7 in our series of overtures by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber is again under the direction of conductor Dario Salvi, who is also a researcher and musicologist noted for the restoration, recording and performance of rare Viennese works, comic opera, ballet and orchestral music.
‘Working on the latest volume of this groundbreaking series has given me the opportunity to dig deeper into Auber’s musical output. More than half of the programme comprises world premiere recordings, including the essential ballet music from the 1857 revival of Le Cheval de bronze. Interestingly, Humperdinck made an arrangement of the overture to Le Cheval, which I wanted to include on the same album as Auber’s version to allow listeners to make an informed comparison.’
– Dario Salvi
![PAISIELLO, G.: Finta amante (La) [Opera]](../../../sharedfiles/Images/cds/hires/8.574597.jpg "PAISIELLO, G.: Finta amante (La) [Opera]")
Daniel-François-Esprit AUBER (1782–1871)
Overtures, Vol. 7
Le Cheval de bronze
Le Lac des fées • Marco Spada
Jenny Bell • Das eherne Pferd
Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava Dario Salvi
This seventh volume of Auber’s overtures features the ‘fairy opera’ Le Cheval de bronze (1835). The overture expresses the magical and mystical dynamism of the story, while the 1857 opéra-ballet version presents an interpolated dance sequence, exemplifying some exotic chinoiserie. Poetic and graceful, Le Lac des fées was highly regarded in Germany, and proved influential on Wagner who saw it in Paris. Marco Spada evinces some of Auber’s most accomplished and sustained mood setting. The overture to Le Cheval de bronze is also heard here in the arrangement by Engelbert Humperdinck (Das eherne Pferd, 1889).
Conductor Dario Salvi is noted for his versatile and eclectic repertoire, which has been recognised through numerous awards and nominations, including the 2023 ‘Riccardo Drigo’ Music for Ballet prize and a 2022 International Classical Music Awards nomination for the world premiere recording of Johann Strauss II’s Waldmeister (8.660489-90). His passion for the rediscovery and performance of long-forgotten masterpieces and the curation of world premieres has raised Salvi’s profile around the world.
The Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava is one of the Czech Republic’s leading symphony orchestras, with its distinctive sound and progressive repertoire held in the highest esteem by audiences and critics alike. The orchestra has toured extensively across Europe and Asia, and has performed at prestigious venues such as the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Musikverein Wien and the Philharmonie Berlin.
L’Ambassadrice • La Part du Diable
Haydée • Le Premier jour de bonheur
Le Dieu et la Bayadère
Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra
Salvi
– MusicWeb International
Zanetta
Overture and Entr’actes
Zerline
Overtures • Entr’actes • Airs de ballet
Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra
Salvi
– Gramophone
Le Duc d'Olonne • Fra Diavolo • Le Philtre
Actéon • Divertissement de Versailles
Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra
Salvi
– Pizzicato ★★★★
Le Concert à la cour • Fiorella • Julie
Léocadie • Couvin • Violin Concerto
Čepická
Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice
Salvi
– MusicWeb International