Power Lungs 3
A Cast of Thousands

Opera is pre-cinematic movie making of the most extravagant kind. For the opera buffs, opera the ultimate art form. For others, even classical music lovers, it can be an extravagant feast of wailing voices, blaring music, and poor acting by over-ripe people in stuffy costumes.

With lots of noise and spectacle, bigger-than-life characters, and loud music, opera can put on a spectacular to match any comers. In fact, many scenes from 'grand' opera would be right at home in this era of gargantuan Olympic Games opening ceremonies, over-hyped 'pre-match entertainment', or lurid KISS concerts.

In the following scenes, the composers' bring together all the forces they can muster to put on a real show:

1. Borodin – Prince Igor – Polovtsian Dances (Act II)
This set is made up of a number of vigorous dances and includes the lovely 'Chorus of the Polovtsian Maidens'.

2. Gounod – Faust – ‘Gloire immortelle’ (Soldier's Chorus, Act IV)
Gounod rouses the troops with a big, brash march.

3. Mussorgsky – Boris Godunov – Coronation Scene
Music fit for the coronation of an iron Tsar!

4. Ponchielli – La Giaconda – Il ballo delle ore (Dance of the Hours, Act II)
As a diversion from the intrigues of infidelity, this colourful music succeed brilliantly.

5. Verdi – Aida – ‘Gloria all’Egitto’ (Grand March, Act II)
Trying to match the megalomania of the pyramid builders, Verdi came up with this chorus, fit for the Arena Spectacular. It is perhaps the loudest, most over-the-top march, of them all. (The atmospheric ballet music often continues along in recordings.)

6. Verdi – La Traviata – ‘Libano ne’ lieti calici’ (Brindisi, Let's drink, let's drink from the goblets of joy, Act I)
Champagne flows over individual jealousies in Verdi's Brindisi

7. Verdi – Nabucco – ‘Va, pensiero, sull’ali dorate’ (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves, Fly, thought, on golden wings, Act III)
This famous rousing lullaby is sung by homesick, imprisoned Hebrews in Babylon. It is oddly reminiscent of chanting European soccer fans.

8. Verdi – Rigoletto – ‘Vedi! Le fosche notturne spoglie’ (Anvil Chorus, Act II)
These gypsies sure knew how to work hard, judging by the impact of this music.

9. Wagner – Lohengrin – Treulich geführt ziehet dahin (Bridal Chorus, Act III)
For all you wedding buffs, here is the original "Here comes the bride"!

10. Weber – Die Freischütz – ‘Was gleicht wohl auf Erden dem Jägervernügen’ (Jägerchor – Hunting Chorus, Act III)
The distinctive smell of lederhosen is in the air. A German hunting party sings the joys of the hunting life.