To make a choice from the rich repertoire of the opera suitable for brass quintet was not easy. An intense search throughout the abundant operatic literature resulted in a selection of eight operas from the Romantic era and the twentieth century. The inclusion of certain “interludes”, i.e. pieces often heard in the concert hall, made the choice a little easier. Percussion instruments were added which opened the transcriptions to become more interesting for the listener and allowed the music to retain its eloquence. All the arrangements are masterfully completed by Steven Verhaert.

Guiseppe Verdi (1813-1901)
Prelude to Act I from ‘La Traviata’

Jules Massenet (1842-1912)
‘Thaïs’ Méditation

Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Danse of the seven veils of ‘Salome’

Dimitri Shostakovich (1906-1975)
Suite of ‘Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk’

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)
Four Sea Interludes Op. 33 a de ‘Peter Grimes’

Giacommo Puccini (1858-1924)
Intermezzo of ‘Manon Lescaut’

Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
Liebestod of ‘Tristan und Isolde’

Kurt Weill (1900-1950)
Suite from 'The Three Penny Opera'