From the very first notes, opera transports us to new worlds of passion and delight. Before the curtain even goes up, the music of the overture sets the scene for the magic to come.

With this latest addition to its popular ‘Great Opera’ series, ABC Classics presents favourite overtures and orchestral preludes from the world’s most popular operas.

Originally designed to seize the attention of a rowdy and disruptive audience, the first opera overtures were bold and bright, full of energy and excitement. The dancing energy of Rameau’s overture to Naïs remind us of the central role of dance in the French opera of the 18th century. The edgy harmonies of the Curtain Tune in Purcell’s Timon of Athens signal the betrayals that lie in store for the opera’s hero. The joyous sparkle of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and Magic Flute overtures leaves us in no doubt as to the happy ending that lies in store, just as the solemn dignity of his Don Giovanni overture prepares us for a tale in which life and death themselves will hang in the balance.