Paisiello opera buffa gem that deserves to be heard
03/10/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This 72-minute full recording of "Gli Astrologi Immaginari" makes a strong case for more recordings of Giovanni Paisiello's operas. Under the direction of Bruno Rigacci, this performance is truly scintillating from start to finish, with an energetic cast who manage to make even the recitatives entertaining. The singers, while not household names, give truly a wonderful performance--especially the soprano Carmen Lavani. It's just a shame that Nuovo Era couldn't provide an English translation of the libretto, but the singing is so superb that you hardly miss it. This is opera buffa at its best--light, tuneful, and most of all, fun. If you aren't familiar with Paisiello's delightful music, this is the perfect work to acquaint yourself with it."
Truly Entertaining
B. Bork | Ontario, Canada | 05/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a fan of Paisiello or late 18th century opera, then buy this CD! It is of exceptional quality in all respects with great orchestration, perfectly suited performers and wonderful direction. The booklet describes this opera as one of Catharine the Greats favorite Paisiello opera's during his tenure in Russia and it's easy to see why. It has perfect pacing with enough ensembles to get by considering the ensemble was still pretty rare at this time. The dramatic and comedic elements in the music and libretto are perfect Paisiello fodder and he pulls it off with charm and clarity.The only down side is the lack of a translated libretto, but the booklet does include the Italian text so at least you can attempt to translate it online yourself like I do.It's hard not to see why anyone would not want to buy this truly entertaining opera when it is so very affordable. Go for it, you won't regret this purchase!"
Great fun
John Cragg | Delta(greater Vancouver), B.C Canada | 05/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a basically light-weight opera . Here it gets a really fizzing performance that makes it seem much more substantial than it is. The recording, dating from 1967, is one of the amazing performances of obscure Italian repertoire put on by Swiss-Italian radio. The conducting of a highly professional production is well judged and the voices are more than adequate to the demands of their roles. The four protagonists are well defined and presented with as much character as one can hope for from very stock characters. Among the singers, the soprano Carmen Lavani stands out particularly -- and there are not many other opertunities to hear her on recordings. The short opera is complete on one disk making this a very good value. The essay is informative, and the libretto is given, though only in Italian -- but it is not hard to figure out what most of it means."
A Visionary Bird Fancier
John D. Pilkey | Santa Clarita, CA USA | 09/24/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording is a miniature gem. Although opera buffa is formulaic, Paisiello's music is full of fresh enthusiasm. The opera is a satire of Italian dilettantes who fancy themselves "philosophers." That pretension had been coveted by Italian noblemen from the time of Lorenzo the Magnificent's Platonic academy at Florence in the 1480s. What we call "scientists" today were first termed "philosophers." The small cast of four reduces the opera buffa to its basic elements: the foolish old man, Petronio; the amorous comic practicer Giuliano; his love object, Petronio's daughter Clarice; and Clarice's sister Cassandra.
Giuliano introduces himself to the family at the outset. Clarice finds him to be "un signor di buon aspetto." Petronio wastes no time in presenting himself as a philosopher; and Giuliano confesses that he too is one of those rare birds. While we are wondering what their "philosophies" consist of, Petronio reveals that he is into distinguishing bird calls and generally commands the "arcano sapria della natura," even the most "oscura" natura. Recognizing that the old man is an ignorant "visionario," Giuliano will adopt "strana e bizarra fantasia per far si che Clarice oggi sia mia." So confident is he that promises Clarice that he can overcome her father's resistance by "una mia invenzione." Giuliano's "invenzione" consists of dressing up as a Greek philosopher (there was one of those at Lorenzo's academy) named Argatifondidas. Superior wisdom is required just to pronounce that name. This version of Giuliano claims to have learned philosophy in Greece, astronomy in Egypt, magic from the Babylonians and the cabala among the Hebrews."