Salem Witch Trials

On this day today in 1692,

Five women were hanged in Salem, Massachusetts after being accused of witchcraft. Fourteen more people were executed in the same year, while 150 others were imprisoned. The dark subject of witches and witchcraft—and everything supernatural—-have always intrigued and inspired renowned composers throughout the history. Here are the top 8 witches in classical music:

1. Mussorgsky’s Baba Yaga from Pictures at an Exhibition

2. Berlioz’s Witches’ Sabbath

3. Mendelssohn’s Hexenlied (‘Witches’ Song’)

4. Handel’s Witch of Endor from Saul

5. Purcell’s Witches in Dido and Aeneas

6. Verdi’s Witches in Macbeth

7. Dvorak’s Noon Witch inspired by Karel Erben’s poem “Polednice”

8. Humperdinck’s Witch from Hansel and Gretel

Make sure to hear these spooky “witchy” pieces to cool off during the hot summer! 

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