L'opera

Despite his rather extensive output (especially in the realm of violin sonatas), composer Francesco Maria Veracini is likely unknown to most. His life history and personal writing read something like that of a modern-day groupie. Veracini was enamored with the works of Corelli and held the composer's works up with the highest possible esteem. It does not come as a surprise, then, that one of his most significant works would be based entirely on the works of Corelli. The Dissertazioni sopra l'Opera Quinta del Corelli is an entire set of expansions and elaborations of Corelli's Op. 5.

For those who can only judge Callas' voice, any recording can be very disapointing. To enjoy listening to her voice, one must be aware of her work as a dramatic performance rather than a technically perfect and beautiful voice. She sang with her soul, her heart and all the deep feelings a human being can experience and this led her to the top of the opera world, although her voice never achieved beauty and evenness as it would be expected of an opera Diva.

The Lark Quartet brings its stellar 34 year career to a close with this celebratory album. On it, the Lark Quartet offers premiere recordings of works by John Harbison, Kenji Bunch, Anna Weesner and Andrew Waggoner, all composed for this occasion. Assisting Lark Quartet are Yousif Sheronick, percussion (Bunch), Romie de Guise-Langlois, clarinet (Weesner) and the Lark's four founding members (Waggoner).