About this album
Where they were
Ça Ira was released in 2005, marking Roger Waters' first opera after years of experimentation with rock and conceptual albums. This project followed his acclaimed work with Pink Floyd and subsequent solo endeavors, showcasing his desire to explore historical narratives through music. It reflects a significant turn in Waters' career as he ventured into the realm of classical storytelling combined with contemporary themes.
Why it matters
This album is noteworthy for its ambitious blend of rock, opera, and historical narrative, drawing inspiration from the French Revolution. It received attention for its critical exploration of power and freedom, although it didn't achieve mainstream commercial success comparable to Waters' earlier works. The operatic format was a marked departure from traditional rock albums, influencing how narrative could be interwoven with musical compositions.
Essential tracks
- "The Grievances of the People" — This track encapsulates the central theme of revolution and societal unrest, highlighting the collective voice of the oppressed. Its powerful orchestration and lyrical intensity serve as a call to action against tyranny.
- "So to the Streets in the Pouring Rain" — This song captures the spirit of defiance and determination amidst chaos, embodying the emotional core of the album's narrative. Its vivid imagery and stirring melody evoke a sense of urgency reflective of revolutionary fervor.
- "Adieu Louis for You It’s Over" — In this poignant track, the finality of Louis XVI's fate is conveyed through haunting melodies and evocative lyrics, marking a climactic moment in the opera. It underscores themes of loss and change that resonate throughout the work.
Release Date
September 26, 2005
Artist Origin
United Kingdom
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 The Gathering Storm 1:37
- 2 Overture 4:06
- 3 Act 1: Scene 1: A Garden in Vienna 1765 0:54
- 4 Act 1: Scene 1: Madame Antoine, Madame Antoine 2:53
- 5 Act 1: Scene 2: Kings, Sticks and Birds 2:40
- 6 Act 1: Scene 2: Honest Bird, Simple Bird 2:10
- 7 Act 1: Scene 2: I Want to Be King 2:37
- 8 Act 1: Scene 2: Let Us Break All the Shields 1:46
- 9 Act 1: Scene 3: The Grievances of the People 4:39
- 10 Act 1: Scene 4: France in Disarray 2:34
- 11 Act 1: Scene 4: To Laugh Is to Know How to Live 1:43
- 12 Act 1: Scene 4: Slavers, Landlords, Bigots at Your Door 3:36
- 13 Act 1: Scene 5: The Fall of the Bastille 1:34
- 14 Act 1: Scene 5: To Freeze in the Dead of Night 2:19
- 15 Act 1: Scene 5: So to the Streets in the Pouring Rain 4:17
- 16 Act 2: Scene 1: Dances and Marches 2:12
- 17 Act 2: Scene 1: Now Hear Ye! 2:17
- 18 Act 2: Scene 1: Flushed With Wine 4:32
- 19 Act 2: Scene 2: The Letter 1:37
- 20 Act 2: Scene 2: My Dear Cousin Bourbon of Spain 2:48
- 21 Act 2: Scene 2: The Ship of State Is All at Sea 1:47
- 22 Act 2: Scene 3: Silver, Sugar and Indigo 0:55
- 23 Act 2: Scene 3: To the Windward Isles 4:50
- 24 Act 2: Scene 4: The Papal Edict 1:17
- 25 Act 2: Scene 4: In Paris There’s a Rumble Under the Ground 6:21
Disc 2
- 1 Act 3: Scene 1: The Fugitive King 2:12
- 2 Act 3: Scene 1: But the Marquis of Boulli Has a Trump Card Up His Sleeve 4:27
- 3 Act 3: Scene 1: To Take Your Hat Off 2:40
- 4 Act 3: Scene 1: The Echoes Never Fade From That Fusillade 3:15
- 5 Act 3: Scene 2: The Commune de Paris 2:43
- 6 Act 3: Scene 2: Vive la Commune de Paris 3:15
- 7 Act 3: Scene 2: The National Assembly Is Confused 2:41
- 8 Act 3: Scene 3: The Execution of Louis Capet 1:39
- 9 Act 3: Scene 3: Adieu Louis for You It’s Over 3:45
- 10 Act 3: Scene 4: Marie Antoinette – The Last Night on Earth 1:36
- 11 Act 3: Scene 4: Adieu My Good and Tender Sister 5:10
- 12 Act 3: Scene 5: Liberty 2:50
- 13 Act 3: Scene 5: And in the Bushes Where They Survive 6:54
Disc 3
- 1 The Making of Ça Ira 2:14:55
