A Wonderful Romp!
Lorenzo Moog | Seattle, WA USA | 12/08/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here is a delightful little comedy (1841) from the master of comic opera, Gaetano Donizetti. This work (prima 1860; Opera-Comique, Paris) is his 61st or 62nd opera and is his second to last comedy just before "Don Pasquale".
There is some confusion about the libretto, some saying it was written by Donizetti while others ascribe it to Gustave Vaez (as does this set). In any event the composer produced a tight opera-buffa for a cast of three with orchestra. The opera was first performed as "Le mari battu" twelve years after Donizetti's death.
This live performance (Nuova Era) is from Palermo in 1991 (Chiesa SS. Salvatore) with the Orchestra de Camera Siciliana under the baton of Federico Amendola. There are good liner notes in Eng/ Ger/ Ita with the libretto in Italian only however the plot synopsis is adequate to help understand the goings on of Rita, Beppe and Gasparo.
The audience is well behaved and engaged, the tech quality is very good. The design for the CD packaging and book is especially well done with an image of Rita on the cover which makes it quite clear that she is a force to be reckoned with.
The story is that Gasparo (Rita's first husband who drowned at sea) in fact did not die but shows up (quite by accident) at the inn kept by Rita and her second husband Beppe. Rita informs us with an opening aria and dialogue how her first husband would on occasion beat her but now the tables are turned and she has the upper hand with her second husband Beppe. The cast completely sieze their roles and it is apparent from the first that they are giving themselves entirely to Donizetti's score. Adelina Scarabelli has the title role playing and singing it to the max. Because this was written after Donizetti had been a long time in Paris there is the framework of a good deal of rapid fire spoken dialogue between the musical pieces. Scarabelli is a strong, expressive soprano with an ear for both comedy and Donizetti. She is perfectly cast as are Pietro Ballo as the put upon Beppe and Alessandro Corbelli as the ever confident Gasparo. The show-stopper is Beppe's 'Allegro io son" when he realizes that he is free of the shrewish Rita. It is a manifestation of utter joy that is almost unparalelled in opera and is a standard in the tenor recital repetoire and Ballo makes the most of it. Corbelli is delightful as Gasparo with an rich baritone and a lovely comic sensibility. There are solos, duets and a trio, "E' moncherin" that is especially pretty. It is an absolute pleasure to hear them go through their bewildering adventure (53 min/49 sec) and to share it with the enthusiastic Palermo audience. Amendola and the orchestra are excellent. Charming, funny and accomplished "Rita" delivers the goods on every level. Highly Recommended."
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1