Description
Labarre Variations sur Beatrice di Tenda de Bellini, op. 113
Harpist, pianist and conductor Théodore Labarre succeeded Naderman at the Paris Conservatory, and his compositional style shows him to be a transitional figure, half way between the established “single-action” school and the innovations of Parish Alvars and the Godefroid brothers. He has been accused of writing too pianistically, but this is definitely not the case here.
The Variations on Beatrice di Tenda make the harp sing beautifully in bel canto style, and fall into the hands with ease. They offer a natural introduction to later virtuoso opera fantasies. This is another opera gaining ground again, and anything by Bellini is like spun gold to the ear.
