Inaugural Edition, no. 5: Post tease: Has any operatic act begun more beautifully? (Not to mention suggestively?)

"My long hair descends all the way to the door of the tower"

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Pierre Boulez, cond. CBS-Sony, recorded 1970

Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet, cond. Decca, recorded in Geneva's Grand Théâtre, August 1964

by Ken

I can't think of one. And my goodness, doesn't this mere minute's worth of music make you crazy to know what comes next? We're going to find out in today's main post, after we take care of business.

"Ah! I breathe at last!"

George Shirley, tenor; Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Pierre Boulez, cond. CBS-Sony, recorded 1970

Or, if we allow it some of its proper build-up --

"Ah! I breathe at last!"

Camille Maurane, baritone; Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet, cond. Decca, recorded in Geneva's Grand Théâtre, August 1964


ON FURTHER CONSIDERATION, I GUESS WE COULD
SLIP JUST A TAD FARTHER INTO OUR MYSTERY SCENE