The Marriage of Figaro – Mozart
Mozart certainly knew how to kick-start an opera. The overture to his wonderful The Marriage of Figaro is an exuberant, unashamedly joyful piece – and one of his best-loved pieces. Bet you're feeling cheery already…
Ruslan and Ludmilla (Overture) – Glinka
Glinka's opera includes monsters, magic and a wizard called Finn. And the overture is as bonkers and over the top as you'd expect. Guaranteed to leave you with a (manic?) smile on your face.
Hoe Down – Copland
Whisk yourself away to 1940s America with Copland's infectious 'Hoe Down', from his ballet Rodeo. The tune is based on a piece written by a Kentucky fiddler, and what a tune it is.
'Largo al factotum' (from The Barber of Seville) – Rossini
Rossini's Figaro is a jack of all trades and this wonderful aria is the first thing he sings in the delightful opera The Barber of Seville . Now that is what you call an entrance.
Jupiter the bringer of jollity (The Planets) – Holst
We couldn't possibly leave out Holst's Jupiter, a piece inspired by cheerfulness personified. We won't tell anyone if you hum along with the famous tune…
Holberg Suite (Rigaudon) – Grieg
Grieg's lively Rigaudon is just one of the movements from his Holberg Suite, an unashamedly toe-tapping work for strings. It may actually be impossible not to tap your feet to this…
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