20 Greatest Opera Choruses.

“For many, Opera is not just about large sopranos and dashing tenors sharing tender moments in duets, or villainous baritones, or even erring daughters; we also relish the thrill of a fine chorus rising to an old favourite such as the Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, the Aida Grand March and other noble melodies.  Such pieces have long been popular; they are also extremely rewarding for the singers …. Since many operas open with a chorus, the responsibility falls upon choristers to set the standard” - James Murray

Contents:
1. Gloria del’Egitto (Aida: Verdi) 
Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan (1959)
2. Va pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) (Nabucco: Verdi)                                      
3. Anvil Chorus (Il Trovatore: Verdi)                                                                                
4. Soldiers’ Chorus (Il Trovatore: Verdi)
Chorus of Maggio Musicale, Fiorentino    
Orchestra Grand Théatre de Genève / Alberto Erede (1957)
5. Zitti, zitti (Rigoletto: Verdi)                                                                                            
6. Noi siamo zingarelle…Di Madride noi siam Mattadori (La Traviata: Verdi)                
Chorus & Orchestra of Rome Opera / Tullio Serafin, Rec.1958
7. Fuoco di Gioia! (Otello: Verdi) 
Vienna State Opera Chorus                                      
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Herbert von Karajan, Rec.1960
8. Humming Chorus (Madama Butterfly: Puccini) / Tullio Serafin (1957)
Chorus & Orchestra Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Rome
9. Giro la cote (Turandot: Puccini) / Alberto Erede (1957)                                                   
10. Easter Hymn (Cavalleria Rusticana: Mascagni) / Giulietta Simionato / Serafin (1960) 
11. Bell Chorus (I Pagliacci: Leoncavallo) / Francesco Molinari-Pradelli (1958)             
12. Soldiers’ Chorus (Faust: Gounod)                                                                                  
13. Les voici, les voici (Carmen: Bizet)                                                                                  
14. O fortuna (Carmina Burana: Orff)                                                                                    
Rutgers University Choir / Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy (1960)
15. Coronation Scene (Boris Godunov: Mussorgsky)                                                      
Chorus & Orchestra Bolshoi Theatre / Mark Ermler, Rec.1985
16. Prisoner’s Chorus (Fidelio: Bethoven) / Kurt Wehofschitz & Raymond Wolansky        
Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra / Otto Klemperer, Rec.1962
17. Huntsmen’s Chorus (Der Freischutz: Weber)                                                                  
Chorus & Orchestra of Bavarian Radio / Eugen Jochum, Rec.1960
18. Steurmann, lacht die wacht (Der Fliegende Holländer: Wagner)                                    
Chorus and Orchestra Royal Opera House, Covent Garden / Antal Dorati (1960)     
19. Bridal Chorus (Lohengrin: Wagner)                                                                               
20. Wach auf (Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Wagner)