Search - Mercadante, Albrecht, Zampieri :: Mercadante: Il Giuramento

At last, Mercadante's masterpiece widely available

B. Cathey | Wendell, NC United States | 08/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"IL GIURAMENTO is widely acknowledged to be Italian composer Saverio Mercadante's operatic masterpiece (others of his operas, including IL BRAVO and his LA VESTALE are preferred by some writers). Previously, recordings of it have appeared on the Nuova Era, Italia, Myto, and Chant de Monde labels--all of which had some interest and attempted to make a case for the work. The appearance of this Vienna production on Orfeo d'Or, however, is a major breakthrough, featuring, as it does, Placido Domingo (who learned his role in just a few days!), Agnes Baltsa, and Mara Zampieri. Although an aria/scene for the baritone has apparently been cut, the present Orfeo recording is certainly the best way to become familiar with this neglected masterpiece--and masterpiece is certainly is. Opera Rara has also released several Mercadante operas, both from his early or "Rossini" period, as well as his more mature, "reform" period (the period in which IL GIURAMENTO was written).

Although a full libretto is not included (I think it can be found online), the notes are good and full, and a detailed description is given.

As usual, Orfeo gives us a quality product, in great sound.

IL GIURAMENTO, given the opportunity, would, I believe, rank high among 19th century Italian operas in public estimation. The present recording presents the listener with a grand opportunity to hear it and to discover an unjustly neglected rival of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi. Highly recommended."

A revelation

Joao Paulo Andre | 07/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Il Giuramento was for me the operatic discovery of the year. I heard it on the radio and got it right away at Amazon. The partiture is beautiful, dramatic and gentle at once, and the voices are glorious. Placido Domingo seems to have learned the score in 4 days, according to the booklet.

Rarely a new opera touches me as much as this one did. How is it possible that an opera of such intrinsic quality is so unknown?

I strongly recommend it and I am sure it will give you unlimited pleasure."

Marvelous opera, marvelous recording

Howard M. Bushnell | NJ, USA | 10/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Short and sweet: everything the other reviewers have written is true. And such marvelous voices! And great sound! Get it without a second thought. You will want to thank me."