It's Maestro Bonynge's Birthday

As the Maestro prepares for a concert performance of Handel's Rodelinda in Melbourne next week with some of Australia's most exciting singers - Greta Bradman, Fiona Janes, John Longmuir, Liane Keegan, Lorina Gore and Michael Lewis with the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, I will leave this small but beautiful musical birthday tribute for you to enjoy. 

It's the War Chorus from Bellini's Norma.  The reason I chose this was because of Bonynge's inclusion of some of the most quiet and haunting music from the entire opera, it features in the Overture and nowhere else except this often cut end to the Guerra! Guerra! chorus.

Here, in his later recording with Dame Joan she sings over the top of the final cadence to stunning effect.  It's one of my favourite Bonynge moments.

Have a great week ahead, mine looks like it's shaping up to be rather excitingly busy.

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