Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion

POPULAR SONGS ADAPTED FROM CLASSICAL MUSIC

I'm always surprised when I discover the classical source of a popular song.

Please feel free to add relevant information or comments to this thread.

PS - Wiki has a site which lists popular songs based on classical music:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mel...

One of the best adaptations from classical to popular music was: "Don't You Know?".
It was a major hit for Della Reese in 1959.

It was adapted from the aria, "Muzetta's Waltz," from Puccini's "La Boheme".

Hear Della Reese singing "Don't You Know":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJSnKW...

Hear the aria as an instrumental:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13GuJ4...

Hear the aria from the opera being sung (with libretto captions):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b7VY5...

The popular song, "Stranger in Paradise" was adapted from Alexander Borodin's "Polovtsian Dances".

The Polovtsian Dances are perhaps the best known selections from Alexander Borodin's opera "Prince Igor" (1890).

Hear the song "Stranger in Paradise" sung by The Four Aces:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HveyC...

Hear and see the performance of "The Polovtsian Dances" by the Kirov Opera and Ballet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8C8fr...

PS - Wiki has a site which lists popular songs based on classical music:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Mel...