Aeneas in Carthage (orchestra excerpts from the opera)

"This is an absolutely wonderful recording of some amazing 18th century incidental music. Joseph Martin Kraus' Aeneas in Carthage, which he worked on for about 10 years (due to production delays), must be a massive piece. Containing a prologue and five acts, the orchestral music alone (offered here) contains two large overtures, several marches (including a nifty March of the Numidians with "Turkish" percussion), and a magnificent concluding Chaconne. There's more than 69 minutes of music here, and we're not even talking about the singing.

God only knows how long the whole work is, but the music here is top quality. There's also an Archery Contest, a Storm, and a whole host of dances, all beautifully scored and tuneful in the best 18th-century Classical manner. The performance here is as lively and vibrant as the music. Patrick Gallois has the Sinfonia Finlandia playing with excellent ensemble and plenty of character. The winds make the most of their solo opportunities, while trumpets and drums cut through the texture with the requisite power. The final Chaconne is simply magnificent. First-rate engineering completes the picture. Don't miss this."
(10 / 10 ClassicsToday)

Joseph Martin Kraus was an innovative 18th Century composer, acclaimed by Haydn as one of the only two geniuses he knew (Mozart was the other). Small wonder that intense interest has been ignited by his forward-looking music, especially the epic six act opera (a prologue and five acts) Aeneas in Carthage, a retelling of the famous story of Dido and Aeneas. Originally intended for the inauguration of the new opera house in Stockholm, the première was delayed for ten years until 1791 allowing Kraus to refine his titanic score into a true magnum opus.