Il XerseFrancesco Cavalli succeeded Monteverdi as the most influential composer of the new genre of opera that emerged in mid 17th century Venice. Il Xerse is a fictitious dramma per musica that tells of Persian King Xerxes' love for Romilda, who in turn is in love with his brother Arsamene. The plot is an entertaining and extremely intricate human comedy of crossed loves, court intrigues and disguises the work's popularity saw it staged in Paris at the

shredded guitar and a take no prisoners attitude make for a timeless hardcore document

all for the Columbia label

steady and pulsing percussion

pianist Francine Kay is acclaimed for the beauty of her sound and the intensity and depth of her interpretations

and the studio textures of Eno/Cale/Roxy '70s art rock

Uncle Tupelo

accompaniment

which could be sung alone or accompanied by a harmonic instrument

The movement titles within each duet may encapsulate French dance forms - Gavotte

But I discovered Queen before I discovered opera

Two estranged American brothers meet in Saas-Fee

Jason Priestley