Operatic Overtures

A disk of operatic overtures from Rossini and Verdi by the Berliner Phikharmoniker and Herbert von Karajan, more recycling of the back catalogue by DG. A nice disk to have without being in any way essential. Slightly dated sound too. I was surprised by the familiarity of much of the music, probably dating from my childhood when many of these pieces served as light music on the radio since they contain much melodic invention and are of the requisite length. Interesting to note different approaches to the overtures with some containing material from the opera to come while others are unique pieces serving as scene settings while the audience gets comfortable. The Rossini overtures on the disk are from Il Barbiere di Siviglia, L'Italiana in Algeri, La Gazza Ladra and La Scala di Seta. Those by Verdi featured are Nabucco, La Traviata, I Vespri Siciliani, Un Ballo in Maschera, La Forza del Destino and Aida.