Manfred Dreilich • Piano, Synthesizers

Gene Nery • Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Percussion

Thomas James Ravel • Drums, Percussion

Nancy Rumbel • English Horn

Tom Creegan • Uilleann Pipe, Low Whistle

Leonid Ceylon • Violin

Jean Wells Yablonsky • Violin

Vincent Comer • Viola

David Sable • Cello

The Seattle Pops Orchestra contracted by David Sabee

Beautiful aria melodies are the inspiration for this stunning collection of Manfred's contemporary instrumental arrangements, featuring Manfred on piano, Gene Nery on guitar, percussionist Thomas James Ravel and the Seattle Pops Orchestra – "An Opera Martini" presents opera with a twist.

In preparing this album, I have often been asked how I came up with the “Opera Martini” concept. I’ve always loved opera music, but know that many people do not share my enthusiasm. By presenting these timeless melodies in a more contemporary setting, I hope, if you are not an opera fan already, you will be enticed to listen to the original versions of these beautiful arias.

This album is dedictated in loving memory of my parents Oskar & Eila Dreilich.

Manfred

1) MOZART'S DIVERSION “Se vuol ballare, Signor contino” from Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) by W. A. Mozart

Mozart had quite a sense of humor and brought comedy to Opera. He wrote his first opera at the age of 12 and continued writing, and writing, and writing…

2) STARLIGHT “E lucevan le stelle” from Tosca by Giacomo Puccini

I have always wanted to compose a piece for the Uilleann pipe, a beautiful and unique instrument native to Ireland dating back almost 300 years.

3) CARMEN'S DANCE “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” (Habañera) from Carmen by Georges Bizet

This is Bizet’s greatest work. I have always loved Spanish music and dance. This opera is set in Seville, and is as Spanish as one can imagine; however, Bizet never set foot in Spain. In fact, he “borrowed” this melody almost note for note from a Spanish folk song called “Habañera.”

4) SECRET TEARS “Una Furtiva Lagrima” from l’Elisir d’Amore (The Elixir of Love) by Gaetano Donizetti

This piece has a special place in my heart. When I heard Pavarotti sing this beautiful aria in high school I decided to become a voice major in college. I had no idea at the time what the song was about but was very moved by this haunting melody.

5) FIGARO “Largo al factotum” from Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) by Gioachino Rossini

This is probably the most recognizable opera melody of all time. Rossini wrote this opera in only two weeks, probably because he had more important things to do…like eating lots of gourmet food and drinking Italian wine!

6) BUTTERFLY “Un bel dì vedremo” from Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini

In the 12 Operas Puccini wrote, most of them end with the heroine dying. Puccini knew what audiences wanted and if he were alive today, he’d be making Hollywood movies.

7) A BRIDGE OVER FLORENCE “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini

This was the closest Puccini came to writing comic opera, but with the soprano singing about jumping off a bridge, I don’t think you’ll see this on the Comedy Channel!

8) DUKE OF MANTUA Tenor aria: “La donna è mobile” from Rigoletto by Giuseppe Verdi

I based this piece on one of Verdi’s most popular arias, which I’ve heard hints toward the possibility that women may be fickle! I can’t imagine…I just like the tune!

9)NOCTURNE “Nessun Dorma” from Turandot by Giacomo Puccini

This was Puccini’s final Opera, and my personal favorite. I dedicate this song in loving memory of my mother, Ella Dreilich.

10) FEDORA'S LOVE “Amor ti vieta” from Fedora by Umberto Giordano

The great tenor Enrico Caruso once said the qualities for a great opera singer are “a big chest, a big mouth, 90% memory, 10% intelligence, lots of hard work and something in the heart.” Since I have 10% memory and 90% intelligence, I decided to make this an instrumental album!

11) THE LONELY SHEPHERD “È la solita storia del pastore” from l’Arlesiana (The Maid of Arles) by Francesco Cilèa

This is a very popular tenor aria from what unfortunately became a very obscure opera. Considering over 40,000 operas have been written, with only 100 remaining in the world’s popular repertoire, I guess it’s fortunate that the aria is remembered even if the opera is not.

12) CHERUBINO “Voi, che sapete” from Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) by W.A. Mozart

The character Cherubino requires a woman to sing the role of a young man. When this aria is sung, the character Cherubino is disguised as a woman…which means it’s a woman acting as a man dressed as a woman. And who thought opera was confusing?!

13) MUSETTA “Quando men vo” La Bohème by Giacomo Puccini

The leading female singer in an opera is sometimes called a diva, which comes from the Latin word for “Goddess.” I’ve worked with many of these “Goddesses”…that’s another reason I’m glad this is an instrumental album!

Special thanks to: My beautiful wife Barbara for her endless support and vision (she had to endure these tunes thousands of times) and to my lovely daughter Sarah for showing me the right notes to play! Maestro Christopher Peacock for making this project possible and to Gene Nery, guitarist and engineer extraodinaire, for his invaluable expertise. Also to Tom Ravel, Nancy Rumbel and Tom Creegan for their inspiring performances. Fr. Timothy Babcock for allowing me a few weeks off to record this project (how about a few MONTHS next time). My manager Joan Faoro and attorney John Allen. Also, to Jaylin Peacock, Dr. Gerald Corona, Tom Gilardi, Pat McElroy, Jeff LaDuke and Mark Tisdel. Tim Smith, my great friend and partner in crime with Perfect Score Music, for charting all those notes so I could play them!

Produced by Manfred, Gene Nery & Christopher Peacock

Recorded at Pure & Simple Studio, Orcas Island, WA

Engineered and Mixed by Gene Nery

Seattle Pops Recorded at Ironwood Studio, Seattle

Engineered by Reed Ruddy

Mastered by Ross Nyberg at Disc Master, Issaquah, WA

Design by TMA Ted Mader Associates, Seattle, WA

Cover photo by Brian Parks/Parks Creative

Martini Glass “Intermezzo” by Orrefors

All pieces composed/arranged by Manfred (BMI) and Pure and Simple Island Productions (BMI)

Nancy Rumbel apears courtesy of Narada Records

© Pure and Simple Music P.O. Box 563, Eastsound, WA 98245 (360) 376-5230 All Rights Reserved.