Eduarda Melo, soprano
Nuno Côrte-Real, musical direction
ORCHESTRA OF TUSCANY
Programme:
N. Côrte-Real (b. 1971)
Songs of Love and Nature
H. Berlioz (1803 – 1869)
Les nuits d’été, op. 7
I. Villanelle
II. Le Spectre de la Rose
III. Sur les lagunes: lamento IV. Absense
V. Au cimetière: Claire de lune VI. L’île inconnue
L. van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
Symphony No 8 in F major, op. 93
I. Allegro vivace e con brio
II. Allegretto scherzando
III. Tempo di minuetto
IV. Allegro vivace
The programme of this concert has the irresistible feel of a gentle summer breeze. And what better interpreters for this restrained delight than the Orchestra of Tuscany, founded in Florence in 1980, and soprano Eduarda Melo with her expressive and warm voice? From Nuno Côrte-Real (b. 1971) we will hear Songs of Love and Nature, op.42C, an arrangement for string orchestra of 3 original songs from Florbela’s Book, op.42, I. Exaltação, III. Os versos que te fiz and V. In a postcard.This is followed by Les nuits d’été, op.7 by Hector Berlioz (1803-1869), a cycle of 6 songs, composed between 1840-1841, making use of poems from the book La Comédie de la mort (1838) by his friend and neighbour Théophile Gautier (1811-1872). Originally written for voice and piano, the first song was orchestrated in 1843 and the remaining five in 1856. The title of the cycle, written by the composer, does not refer to any specific poem but seems to be a tribute to Shakespeare and his play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A true emotional cycle (even though it does not follow any narrative), love, innocence, abandonment, desire, remorse and passion lead the listener along a powerful lyrical arc, cradled by affectionate harmonies, which masterfully describes the pulse of the poems. Finally, Symphony No. 8, op.93, by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Written between April and October 1812, it is a unique work in every respect.Seemingly conservative and good-humoured, with a slight Italian touch, given to the saints.