(Section E)
(Led by MARIE WILSON )
Conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS This is probably the first performance in England of Verdi's Ballet Music to Il Trovatore. The following note is taken from Francis Toye'a book, ' Giuseppe Verdi, his life and Works ' : ' The most interesting feature of the first scene of the third act of Il Trovatore is the important . ballet music composed for the Paris Opera and printed only in the French score. Gitanella is one of the best pieces of dance music Verdi ever wrote. The Sevilliana, too, is effective, and there are two charming numbers in three-four and three-eight time, surprisingly delicate and graceful. A point worthy of note is that Vordi introduced two themes from the gypsies' chorus into this ballet music, one in the opening number, the other in the ensemble. It is, I think, the only instance of such a proceeding, Verdi's ballet music being, as a rule, a wholly separate entity.' The ballet is danced by gypsies after the famous soldiers' chorus, and was specially composed for the first performance of the opera in Paris.