Giulio Briccialdi was one of the most eminent flute virtuosos of the 19th century. Naturally, apart from one opera, his oeuvre consisted mainly of pieces for the flute. In numerous fantasies on excerpts from popular operas (mainly Italian works and the operas of Meyerbeer) he married dazzling virtuosity with tunes that were popular favourites. As Wagner's music seems rather underrepresented in 19th-century popular flute music the discovery of Briccialdis 'Lohengrin' counts as a pleasant surprise, which should delight flute players and Wagner fans equally. |
