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One Hit Operas
"Thais" surely does not qualify as a one-hit opera. Massenet wrote many other works that are still performed pretty often, especially "Manon", "Don Quixote" (heard recently at the SD Opera), and "Cendrillon". It would also have been nice if you'd at least mentioned Catalani, the guy who wrote "La Wally".— May 12, 2011 2:08 p.m.
Adoramus
It would be hard to let this item pass without a comment. How about Bach's St. Matthew and St. John Passions (both heard recently in San Diego), or the Easter Oratorio? Much tastier than kale. Also the Schuetz Seven Last Words, Graun's "Der Tod Jesu", Handel's Brockes Passion, and Beethoven's "Christ on the Mount of Olives". Your apparent unfamiliarity with, or lack of appreciation of, these works does not qualify you well to write the "Adoramus" blog. Peter Bickelmann— May 12, 2011 2:01 p.m.
Wachet Auf
Glad you highlighted Bach's KK140, Wachet Auf! But it is not an Advent cantata, rather a work written for the close of the church year when the readings turn to the end of time and the Second Coming. The wise virgins are wise because they keep their lamps filled while awaiting the Bridegroom, since "no man knows the day or the hour" etc. Cantata 70, Wachet! Betet! falls into the same category. And BTW: the marching, dotted rhythms of the strings you mention are in groups of 12, surely symbolizing the "Mitternacht" in the chorale text. Peter Bickelmann— December 30, 2010 3:05 p.m.
Hodie
You're certainly right about V-W's Hodie, and there are several other not-so-well-known 19th- and 20th-c. works for Christmas that are well worth a listen: Rheinberger's Star of Bethlehem, Saint-Saens' Christmas Oratorio, and Honeggers's Christmas Cantata, for three. Peter Bickelmann— December 30, 2010 2:56 p.m.