A. SEROV: Judith (opera): Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra (Brilliant Opera Collection) [CD de audio] Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, A. Ser

An important work in the development of Russian opera written in the 1860s in a true romantic dramatic style that anticipated the operas of Mussorgsky and Tchaikovsky. The entire Russian cast backed by the Bolshoi Theater's grand orchestra. Alexander Serov (1821-71) is a name unknown to all but those most dedicated to Russian classical music. Apart from the powerful hand - Balakirev, Borodin, Cui, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov of St. Petersburg, and Tchaikovsky in Moscow - several composers can claim the inheritance of the Russian romantic tradition established by Glinka. Composers like Dargomisky, Lvov and Serov in particular. Serov, like Rimsky (navy), and Borodin (chemist) did not start out as a composer. He was a civil servant, and studied music through lessons he received from Josef Hunke by mail. His opera Judit was an instant success, counting the young Tchaikovsky among his fans. His second opera Rogneda earned the composer a royal pension. Unfortunately his creative powers degenerated after these two works, and a series of tempting but unfinished projects followed. He died at the age of 51 from heart failure. His two complete operas influenced Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Anton Rubinstein and the young Glazunov. His music shows his appreciation of Wagner's leitmotifs (although he lacked the experience to use such an effective technique), and the form of the operas of Verdi and Meyerbeer.