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Messages - Simon

#1
Composers & Music / Re: German Verismo opera competition 1893
Wednesday 23 September 2026, 19:12
At least one entry was by a female composer. No. 60. Ein großer Schatz, was composed by Magdalena/Magdalene Charisius, born Friedlaender (1840-1901), a composer and music teacher who lived most of her life in Königsberg, East Prussia (today's Kaliningrad).

According to the Lexikon deutscher Frauen der Feder, published in 1898, she was the author of 3 operas, one oratorio and about 500 vocal works (four of these are kept at the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin). With the heavy bombings Königsberg suffered during World War II, followed by the expulsion of the German population, and the demolition conducted by the Soviet government, one would expect almost nothing remains of Charisius' compositions, beside this opera.
#3
Composers & Music / Re: Evelyn Faltis 1887-1937
Tuesday 23 June 2026, 01:58
Her Piano Trio Op. 4 was performed in Essen a little more than a year ago... https://www.rieserler.de/konzerttermin/trio-g-moll-op-4-von-evelyn-faltis-in-essen/
#4
Composers & Music / Re: René Chesnet
Wednesday 08 April 2026, 03:57
Eric, that was my point ;) . He almost couldn't have remarried unless she had passed away.
#5
Composers & Music / Re: René Chesnet
Wednesday 08 April 2026, 03:37
Quote from: eschiss1 on Tuesday 07 April 2026, 19:30A page about her husband Gabriel Jean Louis Ville gives "died before 1895".

Her husband actually remarried in November 1895.

https://gw.geneanet.org/garric?lang=de&p=gabriel+jean+louis&n=ville
#6
Composers & Music / Re: René Chesnet
Friday 03 April 2026, 04:19
Quote from: tpaloj on Wednesday 01 April 2026, 18:32Well, he seems to be an elusive case. Perhaps a pseudonym for someone else?

It seems to be a pseudonym, indeed, at least according to one Parisian newspaper from 1889. On February 27th, Le Soleil reports the wedding of Mlle Caroline Bourgois and M. le capitaine Ville, at Sainte-Clotilde Church.

The last paragraph includes details regarding the music performed during the ceremony (César Franck was at the organ on this occasion!). Then it goes on :
"La Rêverie, exécutée à l'Offertoire, et le morecau de sortie sont l'œuvre de la jeune mariée, connue dans les arts sous le nom de René Chesnet. [The Rêverie performed during the Offertory and the exit piece are the work of the young bride, known in the arts circles as René Chesnet.]"

Here is the link to the newspaper:

https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k49344220/f2.item.r=%2522Ren%C3%A9%2520Chesnet%2522.zoom


According to some genealogy websites, she was born Caroline Louise Bourgois, on October 13th, 1866, and died c. 1893.

https://gw.geneanet.org/garric?lang=de&p=caroline+louise&n=bourgois
#7
Composers & Music / Re: Johanna Kinkel (1810-1858)
Wednesday 21 January 2026, 22:54
The story of her life is like a novel! She studied music with Franz Ries, who also taught to the young Beethoven in Bonn, and later with Wilhelm Taubert in Berlin, where she is said to have met Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. Meanwhile, Johanna's first marriage had been a disaster; she managed to divorce the man only after years, then found real love and remarried. She had the opportunity to teach music and conduct a choral society, and she published lieder cycles (rather well received at the time).

A few years later, Johanna and her husband both took part in the 1848 German Revolution, their actions in Bonn including political publications in newspapers (Johanna also composed a Demokratenlied!). Her husband's political actions led him to being put in jail and giving a death penalty. They planned a successful prison break, but had to escape to England to stay alive.

Johanna's life was cut short when she died mysteriously in London, having "felt from a window"...
#8
Recordings & Broadcasts / Re: Bru Zane future plans
Monday 01 December 2025, 16:40
A live recording of Hérold's Zampa, with the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks and the Münchner Rundfunkorchester, under the direction of Erik Nielsen, is currently available until the end of the week here:

https://www.br-klassik.de/programm/radio/ausstrahlung-3915898.html?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOaosRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeNDRzOpIAz9zjbQ4UoVbpV8uAeUVJeAppSoR2CF1qu2iNYUS-abU867sN15Y_aem_-bWAYI64EMLpLf6yLP4euA
#9
Folville's list of works, with various sources for her manuscripts (including her orchestral works), is available here (click on the green link "Etude 1/2020):

https://www.universitedesfemmes.be/se-documenter/telechargement-des-etudes-et-analyses/product/409-juliette-folville-1870-1946-une-pionniere-dans-le-milieu-musical-belge-fauve-bougard
#10
I haven't found any entry on this forum regarding Carolina Uccelli. Her opera Anna di Resburgo was among the very few works composed by a woman who managed to be staged in Italy during the 19th century.

This Bel Canto opera, premiered in Naples in 1835, just a month after Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, was revived during summer 2024 by the American ensemble Teatro Nuovo, with great reviews. Did anyone managed to catch one of these performances?

For those who want to learn more and hear a few excerpts, Will Crutchfield, from Teatro Nuovo, did a great work to introduce Uccelli's opera on YouTube:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf5Vy-kxk6iz0aKH6GT9jv6StJA6zaNLn&si=5hXYLO5JkrLgrLRi
#11
Olivier Lalane, artistic director and producer at the new record label Voilà (the record label releasing Posa's music), said during another podcast that coming projects for the label include recordings of music by Alfred Bachelet (1864-1944) and Paul Dupin (1865-1949).

https://www.instagram.com/voilarecords/
#12
Actually, Godfrey's Quintet being the winner on the 1901 edition of Lesley Alexander Prize, a few other Quintets with the same instrument combination written that same year should be available. Yet, I haven't found any other Quintet that fills the bill so far...
#13
One more (too short, but sumptuous) excerpt from the first movement of his Violin Sonata :

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/178PcEe1Y9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
#15
Here's the first recording of Percy Godfrey's Prize Quintet (same instrument combination as Schubert's Trout Quintet), winner of the Lesley Alexander prize in 1901.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9779896--p-godfrey-i-hodgson-r-walthew-j-mccabe-piano-quintets

The recording also features music by Richard Walthew (and some modern music as well)