Giacomo Puccini comes alive in this whimsical story capturing a day in the composer's life. Puccini returns to Lucca, the city of his birth, and his visit becomes an extravagant adventure. As he sips an espresso, scenes from his new opera Turandot come roaring into his mind and transport him to ancient China. The story of Turandot blends with Puccini's music, culminating in one of the composer's most famous arias, Nessun Dorma. The day takes a surrealistic twist with a visit to Lucca's most prominent silk maker.
A long time ago, in the palace of a great Emperor, lived a fat cat. Not merely a plump cat, or a pudgy cat, but an enormous mound of cat named Kulfi. When he rang the little bell tied to the end of his tail, the palace women came running with a bowl of ice cream. Kulfi's life takes an unexpected turn when the Princess of Persia arrives for a visit. The delightful narration of Ghizela Rowe combines with wonderfully amusing music to give this production a unique flair.
Amati's Dream is the compelling story of the great violin maker Nicolo Amati and his apprentice, Raphael. It is the year 1666 in Cremona, Italy. While Raphael is learning the luthier's trade, he secretly yearns to be a performer. His family cannot afford an instrument or music lessons, so Raphael tries his best to be content with working in the violin shop. But, his heart cannot let go of his dream.
The narration of legendary actor Sir Roger Moore brings Amati's Dream vividly to life. The original music features Key-Thomas Maerkl, in a lyrical performance on a violin made by Amati's most famous pupil, Antonio Stradivari. Let the story and music take you on a magical journey into the past.
Author Biography: Kim Maerkl was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an author, composer, and producer. Her works have been performed in concert halls and theaters throughout Europe and released by publishers in America, Germany and Switzerland. She is a Fulbright scholar.
Narrator Biography: Sir Roger Moore is a British Actor born on October 14,1927 in London, England.He is best known for playing the secret agent James Bond. He was knighted in 2003 and was named a commander in France's National Order of Arts and Letters in 2008. He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the charity organization UNICEF.
Stradivari's Gift takes the listener on a historical journey to seventeenth century Italy and the violin shop of Antonio Stradivari. The story of the violinist Raphael and his gripping encounter with Stradivari brings to life the extraordinary achievements and unique magic of one of the world's most renowned violin makers. The narration of Sir Roger Moore combines with original music for violin and string orchestra to create a powerful listening experience.
Author Biography: Kim Maerkl was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an author, composer, and producer. Her works have been performed in concert halls and theaters throughout Europe and released by publishers in America, Germany and Switzerland. She is a Fulbright scholar.
Narrator Biography: Sir Roger Moore is a British Actor born on October 14,1927 in London, England.He is best known for playing the secret agent James Bond. He was knighted in 2003 and was named a commander in France's National Order of Arts and Letters in 2008. He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the charity organization UNICEF.
A Dream of Jazz takes the listener on a historic and tuneful ride to Cleveland in the 1940's. The city, jazz and friendship are celebrated through the eyes of the teenage friends Don and John. Their thoughts are filled with nothing but jazz and their troubles are carried away on the magic carpet of the music.
The spirit and power of jazz are captured in Kim Maerkl's compelling production. Her original compositions combined with the smooth storytelling voice of renowned Austro-American actor August Zirner and the sophisticated playing of the band Fourscore is a musical treat for jazz lovers of any age.
Author Biography: Kim Maerkl was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an author, composer, and producer. Her works have been performed in concert halls and theaters throughout Europe and released by publishers in America, Germany and Switzerland. She is a Fulbright scholar.
Narrator Biography: August Zirner was born in 1956 in Urbana, Illinois, and is the son of Austrian-Jewish immigrants. He has appeared in over one hundred films and television shows and is one of the most popular actors in Germany. He co-starred in The Counterfeiters, which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
Mozart's Magical Night comes alive in the garden's of the king's palace. When Mozart is seven years old, he is invited by Prince Maximilian to perform in the Nymphenburg Palace in Munich. Captivated by the lakes, waterfalls and pavilions of the palace gardens he slips out after the concert to explore the intriguing park.
Unexpectedly, he meets a girl who lives on the grounds of the palace and together they discover the wonders of the palace gardens. As they stroll through the park, Mozart reveals secrets about his life and music. Hèlène Grimaud's poetic interpretation of Mozart's music combines with opera star Jennifer Larmore's enchanting narration to create an exquisite midsummer night's dream.
Author Biography: Kim Maerkl was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an author, composer, and producer. Her works have been performed in concert halls and theaters throughout Europe and released by publishers in America, Germany and Switzerland. She is a Fulbright scholar.
Narrator Biography: Jennifer Larmore has performed at virtually every major opera house, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala and London Covent Garden. Her vast discography of over one hundred CDs has garnered seven Grammy nominations and two awards. She has given recitals and masterclasses around the world.
The Snake Charmer explores a very special moment in India's history through words and music. It is the year 1607 in Agra, India. Shiba, the snake charmer, lives in a grass-roofed hut with his mother and his cobra Bonji. One day, as Empress Mumtaz Mahal is strolling through the marketplace of Agra she is captivated by Shiba´s performance and invites him to play at the palace.
His success arouses the jealousy of another artist endangering Shiba´s life. Kim Maerkl´s original music for clarinet, guitar and tabla reflects the passion of the snake charmer and the vibrancy of India. The trios energetic playing combines with Calvin E. Burke´s dynamic storytelling to enchant listeners of all ages.
Author Biography: Kim Maerkl was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an author, composer, and producer. Her works have been performed in concert halls and theaters throughout Europe and released by publishers in America, Germany and Switzerland. She is a Fulbright scholar.
Narrator Biography: Calvin E. Burke is an actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter, and director. He has appeared in theater productions, television series, feature films, musicals, and international films. Since the beginning of his artistic career, he has starred in more than 100 stage and screen productions.
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The Song of the Torero tells of the passion Bernardo´s Grandfather has for the guitar. Bernardo loves to visit his Grandfather who lives in a stone house perched on a hilltop near Barcelona. The boy adores hearing stories from his grandfather´s childhood, and is mesmerized by his music. One day while strolling through the hills, grandfather reveals an amazing secret.
The Song of the Torero is an unforgettable story that embraces the extraordinary beauty of the guitar. The internationally celebrated guitar duo Gruber & Maklar convey the drama and excitement of the Spanish guitar repertoire as they combine with the narration of acclaimed actor Calvin E. Burke, to created a story that will fascinate listeners of all ages.
Author Biography: Kim Maerkl was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an author, composer, and producer. Her works have been performed in concert halls and theaters throughout Europe and released by publishers in America, Germany and Switzerland. She is a Fulbright scholar.
Narrator Biography: Calvin E. Burke is an actor, singer, film producer, screenwriter, and director. He has appeared in theater productions, television series, feature films, musicals, and international films. Since the beginning of his artistic career, he has starred in more than one hundred stage and screen productions.
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The Kings Daughter tells the enchanting story of Sophia's passion for the flute. The instrument was a gift from her aunt, and the shimmering silver enchanted her from the moment she opened the case. Sophia quickly learned to play, and her music grew more beautiful with each passing day. One afternoon, her father, the king, marched into her room and said, ''It is not proper for a princess to be making music. I no longer wish to hear your flute in my castle.''
Heartbroken, Sophia began practicing under the shade of the linden tree and the wind carried her songs to far away places. The poetic story is brought to life by the beautiful narration of opera star Jennifer Larmore and the elegant flute artistry of Natalie Schwaabe. Let Kim Maerkl's magical tale and original music take you on a fascinating listening experience.
Author Biography: Kim Maerkl was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an author, composer, and producer. Her works have been performed in concert halls and theaters throughout Europe and released by publishers in America, Germany and Switzerland. She is a Fulbright scholar.
Narrator Biography: Jennifer Larmore has performed at virtually every major opera house, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala and London Covent Garden. Her vast discography of over one hundred CDs has garnered seven Grammy nominations and two awards. She has given recitals and masterclasses around the world.
The Cellist of Venice transports us to Italy in the year 1725 and conveys the love a Venetian family has for the music of Bach. Adelina grew up in the Pietá, and orphanage and a magnificent music school for girls. One day, her teacher Maestro Vivaldi gives her the opportunity to perform in a Venetian Palace. After the concert, a German price presents her with a gift, the Suites for Cello composed by his court composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. Years later, tragedy forces Adelina's son to leave his home.
The boy's sole possessions are his cello and the music of Bach. Let the captivating narration of opera star Thomas Hampson and the superb playing of world renowned cellist Daniel Müller-Schott take you on a mystical journey to Venice.
Author Biography: Kim Maerkl was born in 1961 in Cleveland, Ohio. She is an author, composer, and producer. Her works have been performed in concert halls and theaters throughout Europe and released by publishers in America, Germany and Switzerland. She is a Fulbright scholar.
Narrator Biography: Thomas Hampson is America's foremost baritone. He enjoys a singular international career as an opera singer, recording artist and ''ambassador of song.'' In 2010 he was honored with a Living Legend Award by the Library of Congress. Comprising more than 150 albums, his discography includes winners of a Grammy Award, five Edison Awards and the Grand Prix du Disque. Through the Hampson Foundation, which he founded in 2003 he employs the art of song to promote intercultural dialogue and understanding.
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