by Catherine L. Tully

Verdi–Complete Ballet Music from the Operas provides a very unusual treat for fans of classical dance music.

Here you’ll listen to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, conducted by José Serebrier as they play Giuseppe Verdi’s complete ballet music from the operas. There are pieces here that have only rarely been performed.

At the request of the Paris Opera Verdi began including ballets in his operas, but they were often left out of his published scores. This double CD with Verdi’s complete ballet music is a truly unique piece of musical history that ballet fans of all ages can appreciate. If you love this composer’s work, it is something you really should hear.

The first CD is just over 54 minutes long and includes music from Otello, Macbeth, Jerusalem and Don Carlo. The second is a little longer than an hour and features pieces from Aida, Il trovatore and I vespri siciliani.

Have a listen: