This seventh volume of Auber’s overtures features the ‘fairy opera’ Le Cheval de bronze (1835). The overture expresses the magical and mystical dynamism of the story, while the 1857 opéra-ballet version presents an interpolated dance sequence, exemplifying some exotic chinoiserie. Poetic and graceful, Le Lac des fées was highly regarded in Germany, and proved influential on Wagner who saw it in Paris. Marco Spada evinces some of Auber’s most accomplished and sustained mood setting. The overture to Le Cheval de bronze is also heard here in the arrangement by Engelbert Humperdinck (Das eherne Pferd, 1889).

This volume is the second outing in this series for the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava (JPO). JPO is one of the leading symphonic orchestras of the Czech Republic, with its distinctive sound and progressive repertoire held in the highest esteem by audiences and critics alike. The JPO dates back to the first half of the 20th century and the founding of a radio orchestra in Ostrava, which saw performances with Hindemith, Prokofiev and Stravinsky.

Vol.6 employed yet another Czech orchestra, the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra – previous releases have included the Janáček Philharmonic, the Moravian Philharmonic and the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Pardubice.

Vol.5 in this series can be heard on 8574335: ‘This is the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra’s first appearance in this series…They play the music well… As for Scottish- Italian conductor Dario Salvi, this is a labour of love for him, and I have nothing but admiration for his persistence and scholarship’ (Fanfare). Vol.3 is on 8574007: ‘The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra is clearly a well-drilled and accomplished body that responds well to his idiomatic direction. Its performances are enhanced by a fine recording’, wrote MusicWeb International.