The Opera Fantasies for Violin and Piano, Vol. 1

Belgian composer Jean-Baptiste Singelee, while often remembered for his groundbreaking treatment of the newly developed saxophone, he was primarily a violinist, and also composed beautiful works for the instrument. Perhaps Singelee’s time as the violin soloist at the Theatre Royal de la Monnaie inspired him to compose these fantasies based on popular operas. This first volume of opera fantasies from violinist Thomas Wood and pianist Brian Dykstra include fantasies on The Barber of Seville, Martha, and more. Thomas Wood is a Professor of Music at The College of Wooster, where he teaches violin, viola, chamber music, string methods, music history, and literature. He was the first violinist to be awarded the degree Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In addition to his teaching, he is active as a soloist and in recital, and has performed across the United States and Spain.