Guillaume Coppola

Ever since the Italian Renaissance, European artists have been looking to Leonardo's homeland. The Russian composer Tchaikovsky was inspired by popular melodies collected during a trip to Rome to compose his Italian Capriccio. However, it was Beaumarchais' picturesque and impertinent Spain that was the backdrop for Rossini's Barber of Seville, whose premiere in Rome will go down as one of the most eventful in the history of opera.

And it is still Spain seen from France that Chabrier offers us in an evocation worthy of a postcard before Ravel reveals the riches of the Andalusian soul in his Rhapsodie Espagnole.

ROSSINI 
Opening of the Barber of Sevilla

RESPIGHI 
6 small pieces for piano four hands

TCHAÏKOWSKI 
Italian Capriccio

CHABRIER
España

RAVEL
Spanish rhapsody