★★★★ “The music sounds airy, light, natural, the melodies sparkling and brimming with musical wit.”

December 2021 (Original in German)

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★★★★ “Once again, Dario Salvi, this time conducting the Janácek Philharmonic Orchestra of Ostrava, recreates this deliciously nineteenth-century music, giving it his peculiar touch of liveliness and elegance.”

— Salustio Alvarado

“We said it right away: the interest of this series of engravings devoted to symphonic music taken from Auber's lyrical scores cannot be called into question. And this time, we don't have the same reservations about the interpretive quality of these little-known pages. With the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Dario Salvi raises the level in terms of dynamic investment, quality of the desks and sound cohesion. We take a real pleasure, without reserve this time, to listen to this program which pays a deserved tribute to Auber. Produced at the Maison de la Culture in Ostrava at the beginning of December 2020, this album also offers great sound quality.”

— Jean Lacroix, July 2022

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“Dario Salvi, who has previously worked with the Czech Chamber Philharmonic and Moravian Philharmonic orchestras in this series, this time works with the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra. The orchestra seems to have no trouble adapting to Auber’s unusual and transparent orchestral textures and the balance on the recording is exemplary. Salvi’s direction of the music is, as always, historically informed and faithful to the styles of the time, his love of the musical period always clear in his meticulous and idiomatic interpretations.”

— Daniel Adams, February 2022

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“The Italian-Scottish conductor Dario Salvi, also a careful musicologist (he is a renowned reconstructor of forgotten scores, especially by Meyerbeer and Von Suppé), strives to maintain Auber's always elegant style.”

— Roger Salas

“For conductor Dario Salvi, this series is a labor of love. Not only has made a study of Auber's music but he's also edited it for publication. That knowledge shows in his performances.”

— Ralph Graves, March 2022

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“The melodic invention – Italianate with a French accent – is winning, the orchestration is vivid and the Janáček Philharmonic play with considerable polish for Dario Salvi, with shapely woodwind and violin solos, and a jaunty lilt to the dance rhythms in the various quadrilles and styriennes. The two overtures develop a fine momentum. Overall, Salvi goes for grandeur and breadth rather than champagne sparkle.”

— Richard Bratby

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★★★★★ “The Ostrava-based Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, newly co-opted to the project, does sterling service throughout as they tackle no doubt hitherto unfamiliar scores. Meanwhile, Dario Salvi’s skilled direction and the expertise of Naxos’s engineering team – both consistent features of the series – ensure that plenty of felicitous detail is uncovered and recorded. I have no hesitation at all in warmly welcoming this new release to the catalogue.”

— Rob Maynard

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“The Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra under Dario Salvi finds just the right sense of joy. It's worth perhaps quoting the dance from the third act, "La Styrienne," performed with humour and definite suavité by the Ostrava-based Czech orchestra under Dario Salvi.”

— Colin Clark, December 2021

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“Let yourself be moved by the man whom we have known only by name for far too long. A beautiful performance by the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the Italian-Scottish conductor Dario Salvi.”

— Veerle “Knopskaya” Deknopper, December 2021 (Original in Dutch)

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“Dario Salvi conducts with a restrained authority while being ever alert to the performing style of the French romantic era, and the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra responds with committed vigour and passionate warmth. An unmissable feast for the ears in fine sound and annotations.”

— Gerald Fenech, December 2021

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“Once again our gratitude to the Scottish/Italian conductor and musicologist, Dario Salvi, who is ‘discovering’ this goldmine from a long forgotten era. Highly quality orchestral playing from the Janacek Philharmonic in a very long programme. Much recommended.”

“They are interpreted here with a good stylistic rigor, without impasto, and it also allows to discover some nuggets, like this Entertainment of Versailles where we hear the “Passacaille d'Armide” by LULLY, the introductory storm of “Iphigénie en Tauride” or again "The Victory is ours" from La Caravane du Caire de Grétry! Beautiful ballets (from operas) in volume 5: beautiful pieces (light, of course), and beautiful discoveries!”

“Artistically and tonally at the usual high level of the series... a recommendation can be made without hesitation.”

— Daniel Hauser

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“ Anyone who enjoys this recording should definitely play the meanwhile fifth episode with Auber overtures. This time Dario Salvi conducts instrumental pieces from the operas "Zanetta" and "Zerline". Particularly attractive: the enchanting 50-minute ballet interlude from the latter.” [Original in German}

— Karin Coper, July 2023

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