Credits:

Christian Benda

Description:

This is the second volume in the series featuring opera overtures by Schubert (17971828), the King of Art Songs, following the highly acclaimed first volume. This volume features works from his middle period. Although his operas have been largely forgotten todayto the point where we rarely have the opportunity to hear themSchubert himself appears to have harbored great confidence and ambition regarding opera composition. This is evident upon listening to the works. The overture D.556, which has no specific title, features an opening brimming with the sense that something is about to begin, followed by a splendid sequence of cheerful and lively themes. Please take this opportunity to listen once again to *Fierabras* and *Alfonso and Estrella*, which are relatively well-known. Might you not be able to reach the world Schubert sought to create? [Comment provided by Naxos Japan]—