Sigismond Thalberg - Fantasy on Auber’s Opera ’La Muette de Portici’, Op. 52

Auber’s opera ’La Muette de Portici’ has quite the historical significance. It’s often cited as the first grand opera, consisting of five acts and a large-scale production of elaborate set and costume design. The opera, which was based on the Revolt of Naples in 1647, inspired the Belgian Revolution in 1830. Thalberg uses many themes from the opera, including the tarantella from Act III (on which Liszt wrote his own paraphrase). Though Liszt’s piece is much more popular today, Thalberg’s fantasy on Auber’s opera should not be so unfairly neglected. pf: Mark Viner original audio: