Moniuszko: Overtures

MONIUSZKO Fairy Tale Overture. Overtures to: Paria; Halka; Verbum nobile; The Raftsman; The Countess; The Haunted Manor; Jawnuta; The New Don Quixote; The Hetman’s Mistress • Antoni Wit, cond; Warsaw P O • NAXOS 8.572716 (79:26) Stanis?aw Moniuszko (1819–1872) is a musical descendent of Weber and Donizetti, with some clear influences of both heard in his operas. He was Poland’s leading operatic composer in the 19th century, and his works deserve more exposure than they get in today’s “masterpiece” driven climate. This collection of overtures is the most generous one we have been given on disc, and probably the finest. One hears influences of Weber, Donizetti, Rossini, and even early Wagner and Verdi in this music, but it would be too easy, and wrong, to write Moniuszko off as a cheap imitator. His voice may not be so strong as to be easily identifiable, but this is attractive music that demonstrates both inspiration and craft. An Olympia CD (OCD 386) features