O Bell' Alma - Music From The Opera : flute and harp.

Minnesota Opera principal flutist, Michele Frisch, and Minnesota Orchestra principal harpist, Kathy Kienzle, have joined forces to create a unique and hauntingly lyrical addition to opera's 'instrumental' repertoire.

Ravishing arias and interludes inspired by the melodies of the golden age of opera are captured in these virtuoso performances. "O Bell' Alma" features two newly commissioned works: 'Musetta Dreams' by Daniel Sturm, a fantasy/reverie based on the familiar Musetta's Waltz from Puccini's La Boheme, and "O Bell' Alma", the title piece, by David Evan Thomas, a concert paraphrase on themes from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor.

Also featured are newly arranged versions of 'Variations Brillantes sur un theme de la Norma' by Charles Cottignies, after Bellini's great bel canto tour de force and a 'Concert Waltz' by Wilhelm Popp based on Verdi's La Traviata.

Interspersed are some of opera's most enchanting melodies, including 'O mio babbino caro', from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, the Act III 'Entr'acte' from Bizet's Carmen, and other great arias and interludes from the operas of Massenet, Johann Strauss II, and Christoph Gluck. *The music to "O Bell' Alma" is sold on our "flute & piano" section. Instrumentation:flute and harp