Rossini’s opera overtures discharge a function of decisive importance – that of captivating listeners even before the actual opera action begins. Therefore they are the instrumental highlight of every opera and in their time quickly made their way into the concert halls. In them there are numerous aha-effects such as the unusual horn solo in the first section of the overture of the comic opera Il turco in Italia. The faster part reveals further hallmarks of Rossini’s style: catchy short motifs, loud-quiet contrasts, and question-answer games between the instruments (here, for example, between the woodwind group and the solo trumpet). In the end the concluding crescendo quite literally lifts the listeners out of their seats. And all of this occurs within a quite simple formal structure – but one that functions as a guiding idea. Whether The Barber of Seville, La scala di Seta, or Il signor Bruschino – all of these famous, sparkling opera overtures are dashingly and rousingly performed by I Virtuosi Italiani. A release that you will never forget!
Day Of The Gusano captures Slipknot’s historic Knotfest appearance in Mexico City on 5th December 2015. It was the band’s first concert in front of the city’s famously passionate rock and metal fans…
SLIPKNOT. A genuine sonic phenomenon, a nine-piece force of nature and one of heavy music’s most important, recognizable, uncompromising and creatively ingenious bands. Yet to their millions of fans across the world, affectionately known as ‘maggots’, SLIPKNOT aren’t just a musical entity, they’re also a counterculture and a way of life. Now the incendiary live show for their current .5: The Gray Chapter album cycle is captured on DVD/Blu-ray and set for release on October 20 via Eagle Rock Entertainment.
Two live recordings featuring Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac have been found and are being released officially on CD and vinyl as Before The Beginning 1968-1970. The recently discovered recordings date from 1968 and 1970 and were discovered unlabelled in the US, so not much is known about them other than they have been authenticated by experts and approved for release by Fleetwood Mac.