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(Henry VIII playing a harp (tudorhistory.org))
Overbearing tyrant; heartless executioner; religious heretic...and talented composer? Well, nobody’s perfect, least of all England’s King Henry VIII. He did, however, leave us with some jolly good compositions, and we’ll hear a few of them tonight.
Tonight we help ourselves to some princely (and “Kingly”) musical portions. First, we observe King Henry VIII’s 513th birthday with his “Pastime with good company” and “Rose without a thorn,” followed by Crown Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia’s “Rondo for Piano and Orchestra in B.” Our trio of regal composers is rounded off by the controversial Venosan Prince Carlo Gesualdo (who murdered both his wife and her lover in 1590). We’ll hear one of his many fascinating madrigal compositions, “Cor mio, deh non piangete” (do not cry, oh my heart).
There’s one more majestic birthday to celebrate this evening, the “King” of American musical theater, Richard Rodgers. Bryn Terfel sings a heartwarming rendition of “If I loved you” from “Carousel,” followed by a symphonic portrait of this great American musical, served up by John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Soprano Dawn Upshaw and pianist Fred Hersch bring us the more intimate side of Rodgers with “Manhattan” from “Garrick Gaieties.” Add the sovereign trinity of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven to the mix, and you’ve got a right royal evening!
Tonight we help ourselves to some princely (and “Kingly”) musical portions. First, we observe King Henry VIII’s 513th birthday with his “Pastime with good company” and “Rose without a thorn,” followed by Crown Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia’s “Rondo for Piano and Orchestra in B.” Our trio of regal composers is rounded off by the controversial Venosan Prince Carlo Gesualdo (who murdered both his wife and her lover in 1590). We’ll hear one of his many fascinating madrigal compositions, “Cor mio, deh non piangete” (do not cry, oh my heart).
There’s one more majestic birthday to celebrate this evening, the “King” of American musical theater, Richard Rodgers. Bryn Terfel sings a heartwarming rendition of “If I loved you” from “Carousel,” followed by a symphonic portrait of this great American musical, served up by John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Soprano Dawn Upshaw and pianist Fred Hersch bring us the more intimate side of Rodgers with “Manhattan” from “Garrick Gaieties.” Add the sovereign trinity of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven to the mix, and you’ve got a right royal evening!
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