Eiji Oue & Minnesota Orchestra - Respigni: Belkis, Queen Of Sheba Suite

“Belkis, Queen of Sheba” is a full-length ballet with singing by Ottorino Respighi from 1931, which is dedicated to one of the most erotic stories in the Bible: that of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. Respighi's freedom of movement initially prevented a performance until La Scala in Milan dared a premiere. This is only the second recording in the suite prepared by the composer and the first with the tenor solo (sung by Chad Shelton) and the movements in the correct order. The oriental flair and the uncivilized pomp of the music guarantee enthusiastic listeners.

The 180 g pressing was produced by Quality Records Pressings and delivered in a sturdy fold-out cover. Paul Stubblebine was responsible for the half-speed mastering.

180-gram or 200-gram pressing - a question that is not that easy.

For identical titles from Reference Recordings, there are covers labeled 180 g containing LPs that weigh around 200 g, and vice versa. This is due to the fact that the commissioned pressing plants QRT and RTI in the USA specify a 10 percent tolerance for weight on the one hand and then occasionally simply get the orders mixed up. In terms of sound, the pressings do not differ. 

Track-list:

Side A

The Pines of Rome

1. The Pines of the Villa Borghese

2. The Pines near a Catacomb

3. The Pines of the Janiculum

4. The Pines of the Apian Way

Side B

Belkis, Queen of Sheba Suite

1. Solomon's Dream

2. The Dance of Belkis at Dawn

3. Was dance

4. Orgiastic dance