Entertainment/Composers - Revision history

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@@ Line 1,953: / Line 1,953: @@
 '''Emile Waldteufel''' (1837 – 1915) was born in Strasbourg
-''The Skaters’ Waltz'' –
+''Les Patineurs Valse'' (The Skaters’ Waltz) is Waldteufel's best-known work
 '''William Walton''' (1902 – 1983) was born in Oldham. Died on the island of Ischia
-''Belshazzar’s Feast'' – oratorio by Walton
+''Belshazzar’s Feast'' is a cantata Osbert Sitwell selected the text from the Bible
 ''Crown Imperial'' was performed at the coronation of King George VI in 1937. At the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, the march was also used (along with a further Coronation March written by Walton, ''Orb and Sceptre'')
-''Facade'' – William Walton, with poems by Edith Sitwell
+''Façade'' is a series of poems by Edith Sitwell,  in which the poems are recited over an instrumental accompaniment by William Walton
-''Troilus and Cressida'' – opera by Walton
+''Troilus and Cressida'' is the only full-length opera by Walton
-Walton wrote scores for Shakespeare films including ''Henry V'', ''Hamlet'' and ''Richard III''
+Scores for Shakespeare films including ''Henry V'', ''Hamlet'' and ''Richard III''
-Walton wrote scores for ''The First of the Few'' and ''Battle of Britain''
+Score for ''Battle of Britain''
-''Spitfire Prelude and Fugue'' – Walton
+''Spitfire Prelude and Fugue'' was arranged and extracted in 1942 from music he had written for the motion picture ''The First of the Few''
-'''Carl Maria von Weber''' (1786 – 1826) was one of the first significant composers of the Romantic school. Weber's works, especially his operas ''Der Freischutz'', ''Euryanthe'' and ''Oberon'' greatly influenced the development of the Romantic opera in Germany
+'''Carl Maria von Weber''' (1786 – 1826) was one of the first significant composers of the Romantic school. Weber's works, especially his operas, greatly influenced the development of the Romantic opera in Germany
-''Clarinet Concerto'' – Weber
+''Der Freischutz'' (The Marksman) is considered the first German Romantic opera
-''Invitation to the Dance'' – Weber. Orchestrated by Berlioz
+''Euryanthe'' is based on a13th-century French romance
 '''Anton Webern''' (1883 – 1945) was a member of the Second Viennese School. As a student and significant follower of Arnold Schoenberg, he became one of the best-known exponents of the twelve-tone technique
@@ Line 1,983: / Line 1,987: @@
 ''The Threepenny Opera'' by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht was adapted from an 18th century English ballad opera, John Gay's ''The Beggar's Opera'' and offers a Socialist critique of the capitalist world. Includes the song ''Mack the Knife''
-''A Night at the Chinese Opera'' – opera by '''Judith Weir''' (born 1954). In 2014 Judith Weir was appointed as the Master of the Queen’s Music
+'''Judith Weir''' (born 1954) was appointed as the first female Master of the Queen’s Music in 2014
-Symphony for Organ No. 5 was composed by '''Charles-Marie Widor''' (1844 – 1937) in 1879. The fifth movement is often referred to as just Widor's Toccata, which is often played as a recessional at wedding ceremonies
+'''Iannis Xenakis''' (1922 – 2001) was a Greek-French composer, born in Romania. He pioneered the use of mathematical models in music.
-'''Iannis Xenakis''' (1922 – 2001) pioneered the use of mathematical models in music. Among his most important works are ''Metastaseis'' (1953–54) for orchestra, which introduced independent parts for every musician of the orchestra
+''Metastaseis'' is an orchestral work that introduced independent parts for every musician of the orchestra
 '''Domenico Zipoli''' (1688 – 1726) was an Italian Baroque composer. He became a Jesuit in order to work in the Reductions of Paraguay. He is remembered as the most accomplished musician among Jesuit missionaries

@@ Line 1,909: / Line 1,909: @@
 ''Gloria'' is a setting of the hymn ''Gloria in excelsis Deo''
-'''Richard Wagner''' (1813 – 1883) Wagner’s first marriage was to Minna Planer. Wagner married Liszt’s daughter, Cosima, who was previously married to Hans von Bulow. Wagner was anti-Semitic. Hitler was obsessed with his operas. King Ludwig II of Bavaria was a patron of Wagner
+'''Richard Wagner''' (1813 – 1883) was born in Leipzig. His first marriage was to Minna Planer. Wagner married Liszt’s daughter, Cosima, who was previously married to Hans von Bulow. Wagner was anti-Semitic. Hitler was obsessed with his operas. King Ludwig II of Bavaria was a patron of Wagner
 Wagner’s works are indexed with WWV numbers, initialism for Wagner Werke Verzeichnis (Wagner Works Catalogue)
-''Der Ring des Nibelungen'' (The Ring of the Nibelung) is a four-opera cycle. Wagner wrote the libretto and music over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. Although individual operas of the sequence are sometimes performed separately, Wagner intended them to be performed in series. The first performance as a cycle opened the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876
+''Der Ring des Nibelungen'' (The Ring of the Nibelung) is a four-opera cycle. Wagner wrote the libretto and music over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. Although individual operas of the sequence are sometimes performed separately, Wagner intended them to be performed in series. The first performance as a cycle opened the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876. The complete Rimg cycle lasts 17 hours
 ''Das Rheingold'' (The Rhine Gold) In the depths of the Rhine, the three Rhinemaidens guard the Rhinegold, a treasure of immeasurable value. The Nibelung dwarf Alberich is dazzled by the sight of it. The girls explain that whoever wins the gold and forges it into a ring will gain power over the world, but must first renounce love. Frustrated by his unsuccessful attempts to catch one of the girls, Alberich curses love and steals the gold
@@ Line 1,925: / Line 1,925: @@
 ''Götterdämmerung'' (Twilight of the Gods) Siegfried is killed by Hagen, a Nibelung. Brunhilde rides her horse into Siegfried’s funeral pyre in ''Gotterdammerung.'' It ends with a fire and a flood
-Brunhilde is Wotan’s daughter
+Brunhilde is Wotan’s daughter. Fricka is Wotan’s wife. Tarnhelm  is a magic helmet in ''Der Ring des Nibelungen''. It is used as a cloak of invisibility by Alberich in ''Das Rheingold''. It also allows one to change one's form
-Fricka is Wotan’s wife
+''Tannhauser'' is an opera based on a knight and poet who goes to Rome to ask pope Urban IV to be absolved of his sins, after he falls under the spell of Venus and goes to live in her realm, Venusberg
 ''Pilgrim’s Chorus'' is from ''Tannhauser''
-''Tannhauser'' is the most frequently performed work at The Proms
+''Tannhauser'' is one of the most frequently performed work at The Proms
-''Parsifal'' – last Wagner opera. It is loosely based on Wolfram von Eschenbach's ''Parzival'', the 13th century epic poem of the Arthurian knight Parzival (Percival) and his quest for the Holy Grail
+''Parsifal'' was the last completed opera by Wagner. It is loosely based on Wolfram von Eschenbach's ''Parzival'', the 13th century epic poem of the Arthurian knight Parzival (Percival) and his quest for the Holy Grail
-''Lohengrin'' – the story of a knight of the Holy Grail coming to the rescue of a falsely accused maiden – riding on a swan
+''Lohengrin'' is the story of a knight of the Holy Grail coming to the rescue of a falsely accused maiden – riding on a swan
 ''Bridal Chorus'' (''Here Comes the Bride'') – from ''Lohengrin''
-Isolde, wife of King Mark of Cornwall, and Tristan, Mark’s champion and friend, fall hopelessly in love in ''Tristan and Isolde''
+''Tristan and Isolde –'' Isolde, wife of King Mark of Cornwall, and Tristan, Mark’s champion and friend, fall hopelessly in love
 Tristan chord – heard in the opening phrase of ''Tristan and Isolde'' as part of the leitmotif relating to Tristan
-Liebestod (Love-Death) – in ''Tristan and Isolde''
+''Liebestod'' (Love-Death) is the final music in ''Tristan and Isolde.'' Isolde sings over Tristan's dead body
-Hans Sachs is immortalized in ''Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg''
+''Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg'' (The Master-Singers of Nuremberg) takes four and a half hours to perform. The cobbler-poet Hans Sachs, is based on a historical figure, Hans Sachs, the most famous of the master-singers
-''The Flying Dutchman'' – Wagner. Based on the legend of a Dutch sea captain who pledges to round the Cape of Good Hope. He is doomed to sail for ever, until Senta, the daughter of Daland, sacrifices herself to release him from the curse
+''''Der fliegende Hollander'''' (The Flying Dutchman) is based on the legend of a Dutch sea captain who pledges to round the Cape of Good Hope. He is doomed to sail for ever, until Senta, the daughter of Daland, sacrifices herself to release him from the curse
-''Rienzi'' – Wagner
+''Rienzi'' is based on an  Edward Bulwer-Lytton novel. Rienzi is an Italian medieval politician and popular leader, who styled himself as "tribune of the Roman people"
 '''Emile Waldteufel''' (1837 – 1915) was born in Strasbourg

@@ Line 1,806: / Line 1,806: @@
 ''Ameriques'' was first work Varese composed in America
 '''Guiseppe Verdi''' (1813 – 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer who dominated the Italian opera scene. He was born near Busseto in Emilia-Romagna. His second wife was the operatic soprano Giuseppina Strepponi
@@ Line 1,929: / Line 1,955: @@
 ''Rienzi'' – Wagner
-''The Skaters’ Waltz'' – '''Emile Waldteufel''' (1837 – 1915). Born in Strasbourg
+'''Emile Waldteufel''' (1837 – 1915) was born in Strasbourg
 '''William Walton''' (1902 – 1983) was born in Oldham. Died on the island of Ischia
@@ Line 1,962: / Line 1,990: @@
 Symphony for Organ No. 5 was composed by '''Charles-Marie Widor''' (1844 – 1937) in 1879. The fifth movement is often referred to as just Widor's Toccata, which is often played as a recessional at wedding ceremonies
 '''Iannis Xenakis''' (1922 – 2001) pioneered the use of mathematical models in music. Among his most important works are ''Metastaseis'' (1953–54) for orchestra, which introduced independent parts for every musician of the orchestra

@@ Line 1,845: / Line 1,845: @@
 ''Messa da Requiem'' (commonly known as ''Verdi's Requiem'') was composed in memory of Italian poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni
-''Un Ballo in Maschera''
+''Un Ballo in Maschera'' (A Masked Ball) is an opera concerning the assassination of King Gustav III of Sweden in 1792
-''La Forza del destino'' – Characters – Don Alvaro. Leonora, Marquis of Calatrava, Brother Melitone, Don Carlo
+''La Forza del destino'' (The Force of Destiny) is an opera. Characters include Don Alvaro. Leonora, Marquis of Calatrava, Brother Melitone, Don Carlo
-''The Sicilian Vespers'' – opera
+''I vespri siciliani (The Sicilian Vespers)'' – opera written for the Paris Opera
 ''Ernani'' is an opera based on the play ''Hernani'' by Victor Hugo
@@ Line 1,857: / Line 1,857: @@
 '''Heitor Villa-Lobos''' (1887 – 1959) was a Brazilian composer, possibly the best-known classical composer born in South America
-''The Mountains of Brazil'', ''Tales of the Caboclo'' – Heitor Villa-Lobos
+''Choros'' (Weeping)
 '''Antonio Vivaldi''' (1678 – 1741), nicknamed “Il Prete Rosso” (The Red Priest), was a Venetian priest and baroque music composer, as well as a famous violinist. Wrote a number of operas for soprano Anna Giraud
-''Le Quattro Stagioni'' (The Four Seasons) is a set of four violin concertos composed by Vivaldi c. 1720. First concerto is Spring
+Vivaldi’s works are categorized by RV number, named after Peter Ryom
 Vivaldi wrote 46 operas. First opera ''Ottone in villa''
-''L’Olimpiade'' – Vivaldi
+''L’Olimpiade'' (The Olympiad) is a libretto
-''Gloria'' – Vivaldi
+''Gloria'' is a setting of the hymn ''Gloria in excelsis Deo''
-Vivaldi’s works are categorized by RV number, named after Peter Ryom
+'''Richard Wagner''' (1813 – 1883) Wagner’s first marriage was to Minna Planer. Wagner married Liszt’s daughter, Cosima, who was previously married to Hans von Bulow. Wagner was anti-Semitic. Hitler was obsessed with his operas. King Ludwig II of Bavaria was a patron of Wagner
-'''Richard Wagner''' (1813 – 1883) is famous for his four-opera cycle ''Der Ring des Nibelungen''
+Wagner’s works are indexed with WWV numbers, initialism for Wagner Werke Verzeichnis (Wagner Works Catalogue)
-Wagner wrote the libretto and music over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. The four operas that constitute the ''Ring'' cycle are, in sequence: ''Das Rheingold'' (The Rhine Gold), ''Die Walküre'' (The Valkyrie), ''Siegfried'', ''Götterdämmerung'' (Twilight of the Gods)
+''Der Ring des Nibelungen'' (The Ring of the Nibelung) is a four-opera cycle. Wagner wrote the libretto and music over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. Although individual operas of the sequence are sometimes performed separately, Wagner intended them to be performed in series. The first performance as a cycle opened the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876
-Although individual operas of the sequence are sometimes performed separately, Wagner intended them to be performed in series. The first performance as a cycle opened the first Bayreuth Festival in 1876
+''Das Rheingold'' (The Rhine Gold) In the depths of the Rhine, the three Rhinemaidens guard the Rhinegold, a treasure of immeasurable value. The Nibelung dwarf Alberich is dazzled by the sight of it. The girls explain that whoever wins the gold and forges it into a ring will gain power over the world, but must first renounce love. Frustrated by his unsuccessful attempts to catch one of the girls, Alberich curses love and steals the gold
-''Das Rheingold'' – In the depths of the Rhine, the three Rhinemaidens guard the Rhinegold, a treasure of immeasurable value. The Nibelung dwarf Alberich is dazzled by the sight of it. The girls explain that whoever wins the gold and forges it into a ring will gain power over the world, but must first renounce love. Frustrated by his unsuccessful attempts to catch one of the girls, Alberich curses love and steals the gold
+''Die Walküre'' (The Valkyrie) Siegmund and Sieglinde have an incestuous relationship. Seigmund is killed by Hunding. Sieglinde has a child, Siegfried
 ''Die Walkure'' – best-known excerpt is the ''Ride of the Valkyries''
-''Die Walkure'' – Siegmund and Sieglinde have an incestuous relationship. Seigmund is killed by Hunding. Sieglinde has a child, Siegfried
+''Siegfried – S''iegfried, brought up by Mime, kills the dragon Fafner with the sword Nothung
-''Siegfried'' – Siegfried, brought up by Mime, kills the dragon Fafner with the sword Nothung
+''Götterdämmerung'' (Twilight of the Gods) Siegfried is killed by Hagen, a Nibelung. Brunhilde rides her horse into Siegfried’s funeral pyre in ''Gotterdammerung.'' It ends with a fire and a flood
 Brunhilde is Wotan’s daughter
@@ Line 1,889: / Line 1,903: @@
 Fricka is Wotan’s wife
-Siegfried is killed by Hagen, a Nibelung. Brunhilde rides her horse into Siegfried’s funeral pyre in ''Gotterdammerung''
+Tarnhelm  is a magic helmet in ''Der Ring des Nibelungen''. It is used as a cloak of invisibility by Alberich in ''Das Rheingold''. It also allows one to change one's form
 ''Tannhauser'' – based on a knight and poet who goes to Rome to ask pope Urban IV to be absolved of his sins, after he falls under the spell of Venus and goes to live in her realm, Venusberg
-''Pilgrim’s Chorus'' – from ''Tannhauser''
+''Pilgrim’s Chorus'' is from ''Tannhauser''
-''Tannhauser'' – most frequently performed work at The Proms
+''Tannhauser'' is the most frequently performed work at The Proms
 ''Parsifal'' – last Wagner opera. It is loosely based on Wolfram von Eschenbach's ''Parzival'', the 13th century epic poem of the Arthurian knight Parzival (Percival) and his quest for the Holy Grail
@@ Line 1,920: / Line 1,928: @@
 ''Rienzi'' – Wagner
 ''The Skaters’ Waltz'' – '''Emile Waldteufel''' (1837 – 1915). Born in Strasbourg
@@ Line 1,991: / Line 1,991: @@
 '''Domenico Zipoli''' (1688 – 1726) was an Italian Baroque composer. He became a Jesuit in order to work in the Reductions of Paraguay. He is remembered as the most accomplished musician among Jesuit missionaries
+== Groups of composers ==
 '''The Five''' or '''The Mighty Five''' was the loose collection of five Russian composers in St Petersburg. Known in Russian as The Mighty Handful, the group label was applied in 1867 by the critic Vladimir Stasov. The group had the aim of producing a specifically Russian kind of art music, rather than one that imitated older European music or relied on European-style conservatory training. The formation of the group began in 1856, with the first meeting of Mily Balakirev and Cesar Cui; Modest Mussorgsky joined them in 1857, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in 1861, and Alexander Borodin in 1862

@@ Line 1,835: / Line 1,835: @@
 ''Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves i''s a chorus in ''Nabucco''
-''Simon Boccanegra'' opera about the first Doge of Genoa
+''Simon Boccanegra'' is an opera about the first Doge of Genoa
-''Macbeth''
+''Macbeth'' was the first Shakespeare play that Verdi adapted for the operatic stage
-''Otello'' – opera
+''Otello'' – opera based on ''Othello''
-''Falstaff'' – Verdi’s last opera
+''Falstaff'' – Verdi’s last opera. Based on T''he Merry Wives of Windsor'' and ''Henry IV''
-Moved by the death of compatriot Alessandro Manzoni, Verdi wrote the ''Messa da Requiem'' in 1874 in his honour
+''Messa da Requiem'' (commonly known as ''Verdi's Requiem'') was composed in memory of Italian poet and novelist Alessandro Manzoni
-''Un Ballo in Maschera'' – Verdi
+''Un Ballo in Maschera''
-''La Forza del destino'' – Verdi. Characters – Don Alvaro. Leonora, Marquis of Calatrava, Brother Melitone, Don Carlo
+''La Forza del destino'' – Characters – Don Alvaro. Leonora, Marquis of Calatrava, Brother Melitone, Don Carlo
-''The Sicilian Vespers'' – opera by Verdi
+''The Sicilian Vespers'' – opera
-''Ernani'' is an opera by Verdi based on the play ''Hernani'' by Victor Hugo
+''Ernani'' is an opera based on the play ''Hernani'' by Victor Hugo
 '''Tomas Luis de Victoria''' (c. 1548 – 1611) was the most famous composer of the 16th century in Spain, and one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation, along with Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso. Victoria was not only a composer, but also an accomplished organist and singer

@@ Line 1,747: / Line 1,747: @@
 ''The Lamb'' is a setting to music of a William Blake poem
-'''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840 – 1893) was born in Votkinsk in the Russian Empire. He is buried in Alexander Nevsky cemetery in St Petersburg. Tchaikovsky had a brother called Modest who was a librettist. He married Antonina Miliukova. Nadezhda von Meck was a patroness of Tchaikovsky
+'''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840 – 1893) was born in Votkinsk in the Russian Empire. He is buried in Alexander Nevsky cemetery in St Petersburg. He married Antonina Miliukova. Nadezhda von Meck was a patroness of Tchaikovsky
 ''Swan Lake'' is a ballet. It tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. Lover of Prince Siegfried. Includes ''Lake in Moonlight''
@@ Line 1,777: / Line 1,777: @@
 ''The'' ''Queen of Spades'' is an opera based on a novella of Alexander Pushkin, but with a dramatically altered plot
-''Iolanta''
+''Iolanta'' was the last opera Tchaikovsky composed. The libretto was written by the composer's brother. Modest
-''Romeo and Juliet''
+''Romeo and Juliet'' is an Overture-Fantasy
-''Slavonic March''
+''Slavonic March'' is a tone poem written to celebrate Russia's intervention in the Serbo-Turkish War
-''Capriccio Italien''
+''Capriccio Italien'' is a fantasy for orchestra
 ''The Tempest'' – symphonic poem. Based on the Shakespeare play
@@ Line 1,791: / Line 1,791: @@
 Piano Concerto No. 3 was unfinished
-'''Georg Telemann''' (1681–1767) was a German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. Telemann was one of the most prolific composers in history: his oeuvre comprises more than 3,000 pieces
+'''Georg Telemann''' (1681 – 1767) was a German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. Telemann was one of the most prolific composers in history: his oeuvre comprises more than 3,000 pieces
-'''Michael Tippett''' (1905–1998)
+'''Michael Tippett''' (1905 – 1998) was an English composer. He was imprisoned as a conscientious objector in World War II
-''A Child of Our Time''
+''A Child of Our Time'' is an oratorio inspired by Kristallnacht
-''The Midsummer Marriage''
+''The Midsummer Marriage'' is an opera based on ''The Magic Flute''
-''The Ice Break''
+''The Ice Break –'' opera
 ''Concerto for Double String Orchestra''
-Tippett was imprisoned as a conscientious objector in World War II
+'''Edgard Varese''' (1883 – 1965) was a French-born composer who spent most of his life in America. Coined the term "organized sound"
-''Ameriques'' – '''Edgard Varese''' (1883 – 1965). Coined the term "organized sound"
+''Ameriques'' was first work Varese composed in America
-'''Guiseppe Verdi''' (1813 – 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer
+'''Guiseppe Verdi''' (1813 – 1901) was an Italian Romantic composer who dominated the Italian opera scene. He was born near Busseto in Emilia-Romagna. His second wife was the operatic soprano Giuseppina Strepponi
-Verdi had an affair with Giuseppina Strepponi
+Francesco Maria Piave was the librettist of ten Verdi operas
 After Italy was unified in 1861, many of Verdi's early operas were re-interpreted as Risorgimento works with hidden Revolutionary messages that probably had not been intended by either the composer or librettist. Beginning in Naples in 1859 and spreading throughout Italy, the slogan ‘Viva VERDI’ was used as an acronym for Viva Vittorio Emanuele Re D'Italia (Viva Victor Emmanuel King of Italy), referring to Victor Emmanuel II, then king of Sardinia
-Moved by the death of compatriot Alessandro Manzoni, Verdi wrote the ''Messa da Requiem'' in 1874 in his honour
+''La traviata'' (The Fallen Woman) is based on the Alexander Dumas fils play ''The Lady of the Camellias''. Violetta Valery is the heroine who dies of TB. Other characters include Alfredo (her lover) and Germont
-''La traviata'', by Verdi (1853), is based on the Alexander Dumas fils play ''The Lady of the Camellias''. Violetta Valery is the heroine who dies of TB. Other characters – Alfredo (her lover) and Germont
+''Il Trovatore'' (The Troubadour) – Leonora falls in love with Manrico, the troubadour. Features a gypsy, Azucena. Leonora poisons herself
-La traviata – means ‘the woman who strayed’ or ‘the fallen one’
+''Il Trovatore'' contains the ''Anvil Chorus''
-''Libiamo ne' lieti calici'' (Let's drink from the joyful cups) is a duet with chorus from Verdi's ''La traviata''
+''Rigoletto'' – the title character is a humpbacked jester of the Duke of Mantua. Gilda is the Duke’s daughter. The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the play ''Le roi s'amuse'' by Victor Hugo
-''Don Carlos'' is a grand opera composed by Giuseppe Verdi (1867), based on the dramatic play ''Don Carlos, Infante of Spain'' by Friedrich Schiller. The story is based on conflicts in the life of Carlos, Prince of Asturias (1545 – 1568), after his betrothed Elisabeth of Valois was married instead to his father Philip II of Spain as part of the peace treaty ending the Italian War of 1551 – 1559 between the Houses of Habsburg and Valois
+''La Donna e Mobile'' (women are fickle) – song in ''Rigoletto''
-''Nabucco'' – Verdi (1842) , contains the ''Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves'', and the conquest of the Jews by the Assyrian king Nebuchadnezzar
+''Aida'' is an opera in four acts to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. It was first performed at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo on December 24, 1871. Includes the ''Triumphal March''
-''Simon Boccanegra'' – first Doge of Genoa. Opera by Verdi (1857)
+Aida is the handmaid of Amneris, Princess of Egypt. She is an Ethiopian princess in love with Radames. Set during the 25th Dynasty
-''Il Trovatore'' – Verdi (1853), contains the ''Anvil Chorus''
+''Don Carlos'' is a grand opera based on the dramatic play ''Don Carlos, Infante of Spain'' by Friedrich Schiller. The story is based on conflicts in the life of Carlos, Prince of Asturias (1545 – 1568), after his betrothed Elisabeth of Valois was married instead to his father Philip II of Spain as part of the peace treaty ending the Italian War of 1551 – 1559 between the Houses of Habsburg and Valois
-''Il Trovatore (''the Troubadour'')'' – Leonora falls in love with Manrico, the troubadour. Features a gypsy, Azucena. Leonora poisons herself
+''Nabucco'' is an opera that follows the plight of the Jews as they are exiled from their homeland by the Babylonian king Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar II)
-''Macbeth'', ''Otello'' – operas by Verdi
+''Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves i''s a chorus in ''Nabucco''
-''Falstaff'' – Verdi’s last opera
+''Simon Boccanegra'' opera about the first Doge of Genoa
-''Aida'' is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi (1871) to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni, based on a scenario written by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. It was first performed at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo on December 24, 1871. Includes the ''Triumphal March''
+''Macbeth''
-Aida is the handmaid of Amneris, Princess of Egypt. She is an Ethiopian princess in love with Radames. Set during the 25th Dynasty
+''Otello'' – opera
-''Rigoletto'' – Verdi (1851). Title character is a humpbacked jester of the Duke of Mantua. Gilda is the Duke’s daughter. The Italian libretto was written by Francesco Maria Piave based on the play ''Le roi s'amuse'' by Victor Hugo
+''Falstaff'' – Verdi’s last opera
-''La Donna e Mobile'' (women are fickle) – song in ''Rigoletto''
+Moved by the death of compatriot Alessandro Manzoni, Verdi wrote the ''Messa da Requiem'' in 1874 in his honour
 ''Un Ballo in Maschera'' – Verdi
@@ Line 1,850: / Line 1,852: @@
 ''Ernani'' is an opera by Verdi based on the play ''Hernani'' by Victor Hugo
 '''Tomas Luis de Victoria''' (c. 1548 – 1611) was the most famous composer of the 16th century in Spain, and one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation, along with Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Orlando di Lasso. Victoria was not only a composer, but also an accomplished organist and singer

@@ Line 1,723: / Line 1,723: @@
 '''Thomas Tallis''' (c. 1505 – 1585) was an English Renaissance composer of choral music. He worked with William Byrd
-''Spem in alium'' written for eight five-voice choirs
+''Spem in alium'' (Hope in any other) is written for eight five-voice choirs
-''Lamentations (of Jeremiah the Prophet)'' for the Holy Week services
+''Lamentations of Jeremiah'' was written for the Holy Week services
-''Salvator Mundi'' – Thomas Tallis
+''Salvator Mundi'' was a joint venture with William Byrd
 '''Francisco Tarrega''' (1852 – 1909) was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist known as the “father of modern guitar playing”
-''Memories of the Alhambra''
+''Recuerdos de la Alhambra'' (Memories of the Alhambra) is a classical guitar piece
 '''Guiseppe Tartini''' (1692 – 1770) was an Italian Baroque composer and violinist
-''The Devil’s Trill''
+''The Devil’s Trill'' is a work for solo violin that is technically demanding
 '''John Tavener''' (1944 – 2013) was a composer of choral religious works
-''The Whale''
+''The Whale'' is an early cantata based on the story of Jonah and the Whale
-''The Protecting Veil''
+''The Protecting Veil'' is a composition for cello and strings that was shortlisted for the 1992 Mercury Prize
-''Song for Athene''
+''Song for Athene'' was written as a tribute to Athene Hariades, a young half-Greek actress who was killed in a cycling accident
-''The Lamb''
+''The Lamb'' is a setting to music of a William Blake poem
-'''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840 – 1893) is buried in Alexander Nevsky cemetery in St Petersburg
+'''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840 – 1893) was born in Votkinsk in the Russian Empire. He is buried in Alexander Nevsky cemetery in St Petersburg. Tchaikovsky had a brother called Modest who was a librettist. He married Antonina Miliukova. Nadezhda von Meck was a patroness of Tchaikovsky
-''Swan Lake'' tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. Lover of Prince Siegfried. Includes ''Lake in Moonlight''
+''Swan Lake'' is a ballet. It tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. Lover of Prince Siegfried. Includes ''Lake in Moonlight''
 ''The Nutcracker Suite'' is a two-act ballet. Tchaikovsky's adaptation of the story ''The Nutcracker and the Mouse King'' by E. T. A. Hoffmann was commissioned by the director of the Imperial Theatres, Ivan Vsevolozhsky in 1891. Children – Clara and Fritz
@@ Line 1,761: / Line 1,757: @@
 ''Dance of the Reed Flutes'' – one of ''The Four Dances'' in ''The Nutcracker Suite''
-''The Sleeping Beauty'' – longest work by Tchaikovsky. Princess Aurora
+''The Nutcracker Suite'' is noted especially for its use of the celesta as solo instrument in the ''Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy''
 In 1922, Sergei Diaghilev arranged a 45-minute version of the final act of ''The Sleeping Beauty'' for his Ballets Russes, entitled ''Aurora's Wedding''
-''Winter Daydreams'' – Symphony No. 1 by Tchaikovsky
+Symphony No. 1, ''Winter Daydreams''
-''Little Russian'' – Symphony No. 2 by Tchaikovsky
+Symphony No. 2, ''Little Russian''
-''Pathetique'' – Symphony No. 6 by Tchaikovsky. Composed in 1893. First performed nine days before his death. Means ‘passionate’
+Symphony No. 6, ''Pathetique'' (Passionate) was composed in 1893. First performed nine days before his death
 ''1812 Overture'' – Tchaikovsky’s festival overture Opus 49. Composed in 1880 to commemorate Russia's defence of its motherland against Napoleon's invading Grande Armee in 1812. Performed at the opening celebrations for Carnegie Hall in 1891
-''Eugene Onegin'' – Tchaikovsky opera, based on the novel by Pushkin
+''Eugene Onegin'' is an opera based on the novel by Pushkin
-''Capriccio Italien'' – Tchaikovsky
+''Maid of Orleans'' is an opera about Joan of Arc based on several sources: Friedrich Schiller's ''The Maid of Orleans''
-''Romeo and Juliet'' – Tchaikovsky
+''The'' ''Queen of Spades'' is an opera based on a novella of Alexander Pushkin, but with a dramatically altered plot
-''Slavonic March'' – Tchaikovsky
+''Iolanta''
-''The Tempest'' – symphonic poem by Tchaikovsky. Based on the Shakespeare play
+''Romeo and Juliet''
-Hans von Bulow gave the first performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 following the refusal of Nikolay Rubinstein
+''Slavonic March''
-Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 3 was unfinished
+''Capriccio Italien''
-Tchaikovsky had a brother called Modest
+''The Tempest'' – symphonic poem. Based on the Shakespeare play
-Tchaikovsky married Antonina Miliukova
+Hans von Bulow gave the first performance of Piano Concerto No. 1 following the refusal of Nikolay Rubinstein
-Nadezhda von Meck – patroness of Tchaikowsky
+Piano Concerto No. 3 was unfinished
 '''Georg Telemann''' (1681–1767) was a German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. Telemann was one of the most prolific composers in history: his oeuvre comprises more than 3,000 pieces
-'''Michael Tippett''' (1905–1998) composed ''A Child of Our Time'', ''The Midsummer Marriage'' and ''The Ice Break''
+'''Michael Tippett''' (1905–1998)
-''Concerto for Double String Orchestra'' – Tippett
+''Concerto for Double String Orchestra''
 Tippett was imprisoned as a conscientious objector in World War II

@@ Line 1,691: / Line 1,691: @@
 ''The Rite of Spring'' is in two parts – Adoration of the Earth, and The Sacrifice. There was a riot at first performance, in Paris
-''The Rake’s Progress'' – Stravinsky. Libretto by WH Auden
+''The Rake’s Progress'' is an opera based on the paintings of William Hogarth. Libretto by WH Auden
-''Dumbarton Oaks'' – Stravinsky concerto
+Concerto in E-flat, ''Dumbarton Oaks'' is a chamber concerto named for the Dumbarton Oaks estate in Washington D.C.
-''Oedipus Rex'' – Stravinsky
+''Oedipus Rex'' is an opera-oratorio based on Sophocles's tragedy, and written by Jean Cocteau
-''Les noces'' – Stravinsky, is a dance cantata, or ballet with vocalists
+''Les noces'' (The Wedding) is a dance cantata, or ballet with vocalists
-''Symphony of Psalms'' – choral symphony by Stravinsky
+''Symphony of Psalms'' – choral symphony
-''Asrael Symphony'' was written by '''Josef Suk''' (1874 – 1935) in memory of his father-in-law and teacher, Antonín Dvorak, and his wife (Dvorak's daughter) Otilie Sukova
+''Asrael Symphony'' was written by  in memory of Suk's father-in-law and teacher, Antonín Dvorak, and his wife (Dvorak's daughter) Otilie Sukova. Asrael is the Angel of Death in Islam
-Josef Suk won the silver medal for music at the Art competitions at the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
+'''Franz von Suppe''' (1819 – 1895) was an Austrian composer of light operas
-'''Franz von Suppe''' (1819 – 1895) was an Austrian composer of light operas
+''Morning, Noon, and Night in Vienna'' – overture
-''Morning, Noon, and Night in Vienna'' – overture by Suppe
+''The Beautiful Galatea Overture''
-''Light Cavalry Overture'' – Suppe
+'''Johan Svendsen''' (1840 – 1911) was a Norwegian composer, conductor and violinist who lived most his life in Copenhagen. He was a close friend of Wagner
-''The Beautiful Galatea Overture'' – Suppe
+''Norwegian Artists’ Carnival''
-'''Johan Svendsen''' (1840 – 1911) was a Norwegian composer, conductor and violinist who lived most his life in Copenhagen. Close friend of Wagner
+''Romance for Violin and Orchestra''
-''Norwegian Artists’ Carnival'', ''Romance for Violin and Orchestra'' – Johan Svendsen
+'''Germaine Tailleferre''' (1892 – 1983) was a French composer and the only female member of Les Six
-'''Germaine Tailleferre''' (1892 – 1983) was a French composer and the only female member of the group of composers known as Les Six
+'''Thomas Tallis''' (c. 1505 – 1585) was an English Renaissance composer of choral music. He worked with William Byrd
-'''Thomas Tallis''' (c. 1505 – 1585) worked with William Byrd
+''Spem in alium'' written for eight five-voice choirs
-Works by Thomas Tallis include his settings of the ''Lamentations (of Jeremiah the Prophet)'' for the Holy Week services and the unique motet ''Spem in alium'' written for eight five-voice choirs
+''Lamentations (of Jeremiah the Prophet)'' for the Holy Week services
 ''Salvator Mundi'' – Thomas Tallis
-''Memories of the Alhambra'', ''Gran Jota'' – '''Francisco Tarrega''' (1852 – 1909). Known as the “father of modern guitar playing”
+'''Francisco Tarrega''' (1852 – 1909) was a Spanish composer and classical guitarist known as the “father of modern guitar playing”
-''The Devil’s Trill'' – '''Guiseppe Tartini''' (1692 – 1770). Italian Baroque composer and violinist
+''The Protecting Veil''
-''The Whale'' – '''John Tavener''' (1944 – 2013)
+''Song for Athene''
-''The Protecting Veil'', ''Song for Athene'', ''The Lamb'' – John Tavener
+''The Lamb''
 '''Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky''' (1840 – 1893) is buried in Alexander Nevsky cemetery in St Petersburg

@@ Line 1,681: / Line 1,681: @@
 ''Capriccio'' – Strauss's final opera. Subtitled "A Conversation Piece for Music"
-'''Igor Stravinsky''' (1882 – 1971) first achieved international fame with three ballets commissioned by the impresario Serge Diaghilev and performed by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes (Russian Ballet): ''L'Oiseau de feu'' (The Firebird) (1910), ''Petrushka'' (1911), and ''Le Sacre du Printemps'' (The Rite of Spring) (1913)
+'''Igor Stravinsky''' (1882 – 1971) was a Russian composer. He was a pupil of Rimsky-Korsakov
 ''The Firebird'' tells the story of Prince Ivan who kills the evil magician Kashchei with the help of the Firebird. Mikhail Fokine wrote the libretto
-''Petrushka'' is the story of a Russian traditional puppet, Petrushka, who is made of straw and with a bag of sawdust as his body, but who comes to life and develops emotions. Both Petrushka and a Moor fall in love with a Ballerina
+''Petrushka'' is the story of a Russian traditional puppet, Petrushka, who is made of straw and with a bag of sawdust as his body, but who comes to life and develops emotions. Both Petrushka and a Moor fall in love with a Ballerina. Petrushka was danced by Nijinsky at the premiere in 1911
-''The Rite of Spring'' is in two parts – Adoration of the Earth, and The Sacrifice
+''The Rite of Spring'' is in two parts – Adoration of the Earth, and The Sacrifice. There was a riot at first performance, in Paris
 ''The Rake’s Progress'' – Stravinsky. Libretto by WH Auden
@@ Line 1,703: / Line 1,701: @@
 ''Symphony of Psalms'' – choral symphony by Stravinsky
 ''Asrael Symphony'' was written by '''Josef Suk''' (1874 – 1935) in memory of his father-in-law and teacher, Antonín Dvorak, and his wife (Dvorak's daughter) Otilie Sukova

@@ Line 1,621: / Line 1,621: @@
 The sousaphone is named after Sousa, who popularized its use in his band
-''The Liberty Bell''
+''The Liberty Bell'' is used as the signature tune of  ''Monty Python's Flying Circus''
-''The Stars and Stripes Forever''
+''The Stars and Stripes Forever'' is the official National March of the USA
-''The Washington Post''
+''The Washington Post'' is a march composed for the newspaper's essay contest awards ceremony
-''El Capitan''
+''El Capitan'' – operetta. ''El Capitan'' also refers to the march of the same name, composed of themes from the operetta
 '''Wilhelm Stenhammar''' (1871 – 1927) was a Swedish composer, conductor and pianist. Descended from the Vasa kings
-'''Karlheinz Stockhausen''' (1928 – 2007) was a German composer known for his groundbreaking work in electronic music
+'''Karlheinz Stockhausen''' (1928 – 2007) was a German composer known for his ground-breaking work in electronic music
-''Helicopter Quartet'' – Karlheinz Stockhausen
+''Helicopter String Quartet'' involves four helicopters with pilots. It also forms the third scene of Stockhausen's opera ''Mittwoch aus Licht'' (Wednesday from Light)
-'''Johann Strauss I''' (1804 – 1849) ''Radetzky March''. Father of Johann Strauss II
+'''Johann Strauss I''' (1804 – 1849) was the father of Johann Strauss II
-'''Johann Strauss II''' (1825 – 1899) was known as “The Waltz King”. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and a ballet
+''Radetzky March'' was written to commemorate Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetzy's victory at the Battle of Custoza
-''The Blue Danube'' – Johann Strauss II
+'''Johann Strauss II''' (1825 – 1899) was born in Vienna. Known as “The Waltz King”. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and a ballet
-''Die Fledermaus'' (The Bat) – Johann Strauss II. Features Gabriel von Eisenstein and his wife, Rosalinde. Dr Falke is known as ‘the bat’
+''The Blue Danube'' is a waltz composed in 1866
-''Thunder and Lightning Polka'' – Johann Strauss II
+''Emperor Waltz'' was written for Emperor Franz Joseph I
-''The Queen’s Lace Handkerchief'' – Johann Strauss II. Includes the waltz ''Roses from the South''
+''Tritsch-Tratsch Polka – Tritsch-Tratsch'' (chit-chat) refers to the Viennese passion for gossip
-''Emperor Waltz'' – Johann Strauss II. Written for Emperor Franz Joseph I
+Tales from the Vienna Woods ''–'' waltz
-''Tritsh-Tratsh-Polka'', ''Pizzicato Polka'' – Johann Strauss II
+''Die Fledermaus'' (The Bat) is an operetta featuring Gabriel von Eisenstein and his wife, Rosalinde. Dr Falke is known as ‘the bat’
-'''Richard Strauss''' (1864 – 1949) was born in Munich. Strauss wrote a series of tone poems, including ''Thus Spake Zarathustra'', the opening section of which is well known today for its use in Stanley Kubrick's film ''2001: A Space Odyssey'')
+Der Zigeunerbaron ''(The Gypsy Baron) is an operetta''
-''Ein Heldenleben'' – symphonic poem by Richard Strauss
+'''Richard Strauss''' (1864 – 1949) was born in Munich. Strauss wrote a series of tone poems and operas. Hugo von Hofmannsthal wrote libretti for several of Strauss’s operas
-''Die Frau ohne Schatten'', ''Elektra'', ''Salome'', ''Ariadne auf Naxos'', ''Intermezzo'' (autobiographical) – operas by Richard Strauss
+''Thus Spake Zarathustra'' is a tone poem inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche's novel. The opening section is used in Stanley Kubrick's film ''2001: A Space Odyssey''
-''Dance of the Seven Veils'' – from ''Salome''
+''Don Juan'' – tone poem
-''Der Rosenkavalier'' (The Cavalier of the Rose) – opera by Richard Strauss. The opera has four main characters: the aristocratic Marschallin, her very young lover Count Octavian Rofrano, her coarse cousin Baron Ochs, and Ochs' prospective fiancee Sophie von Faninal. A silver rose is delivered as a form of marriage proposal. Set in Vienna
+''Alpine Symphony'' – tone poem for a large orchestra (125 players)
-''Don Juan'' – tone poem by Richard Strauss
+''Ein Heldenleben'' – symphonic poem
-''Alpine Symphony'' – tone poem by Richard Strauss
+''Salome'' is an opera based on the play ''Salome'' by Oscar Wilde
-''Arabella'' – duet for two sopranos by Richard Strauss
+''Dance of the Seven Veils'' is Salome's dance performed before Herod II
-''Capriccio'' – final Richard Strauss opera
+''Der Rosenkavalier'' (The Cavalier of the Rose) – the opera has four main characters: the aristocratic Marschallin, her very young lover Count Octavian Rofrano, her coarse cousin Baron Ochs, and Ochs' prospective fiancee Sophie von Faninal. A silver rose is delivered as a form of marriage proposal. Set in Vienna
-Hugo von Hofmannsthal wrote libretti for several of Richard Strauss’s operas
+''Elektra'' is an opera based on Sophocles' tragedy ''Electra''
 '''Igor Stravinsky''' (1882 – 1971) first achieved international fame with three ballets commissioned by the impresario Serge Diaghilev and performed by Diaghilev's Ballets Russes (Russian Ballet): ''L'Oiseau de feu'' (The Firebird) (1910), ''Petrushka'' (1911), and ''Le Sacre du Printemps'' (The Rite of Spring) (1913)