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The Sound of Opera

Baccanale: Largo al quadrupede (Carnival chorus)

Through the window of Violetta's apartment, the crowds in the streets of Paris can be heard celebrating Carnival (Mardi Gras).

Verdi scored this short piece for woodwinds and percussion only, without any brass or strings. I also recorded it softer and wetter than usual to simulate the effect of distant street music heard through Violetta's window. This explains why the sound is quite different from the rest of the opera.

  • Soprani
  • Tenors
  • Basses