Search - Gioachino Rossini, Ralf Weikert, Marilyn Horne :: Rossini - Tancredi / Marilyn Horne · Cuberli · Palacio · Zaccaria · Manca di Nissa · P. Schuman · Teatro La Fenice · Weikert

Rossini Done Right

03/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CAST: Marilyn Horne [Tancredi] ** Lella Cuberli [Amenaide] ** Ernesto Palacio [Argirio] ** Nicola Zaccaria [Orbazzano] ** Bernadette Manca di Nissa [Isaura] ** Patricia Schuman [Roggiero] ** Orchestra e coro del Teatro la Fenice ** Ralf Weikert (conductor)



Plot: In 11th century Syracuse the feud between the leading families of Orbazzano and Argirio has been ended, in the face danger from attack by the Saracen leader Solamir. Argirio, now the leader of Syracuse, offers the hand of his daughter to Orbazzano, but Amenaide has been secretly engaged to the exiled knight Tancredi, whose return she has urged in a secret letter. Amenaide refuses to obey her father, and meets Tancredi, who has made his clandestine return, now urging him to make his escape. Orbazzano has possession of Amenaide's letter to Tancredi, which he supposes a traitorous communication with Solamir, and, angry at her rejection of him, demands her punishment. In prison she is condemned to death but her cause is defended in the lists by an unknown champion, the disguised and proscribed Tancredi. In combat he defeats Orbazzano, but believing Amenaide guilty leaves her. Away from Syracuse he is told of imminent Saracen attack and returns to fight, falling wounded. As he dies, he hears Amenaide's explanation of the letter and Argirio marries the couple. In the original happy ending Solamir, defeated by Tancredi, reveals the truth, allowing Tancredi and Amenaide to be happily united, to general rejoicing.



About This Recording:



Rossini's Tancredi, regarded by the French writer Stendhal as his masterpiece, was staged in Ferrara soon after the first performance in Venice, but now, unusually, with a tragic ending, as in the Voltaire's play from which it was based. The opera includes the popular Di tanti palpiti (After such beating of the heart), after Tancredi has landed in Syracuse, and provides a challenging rôle for the protagonist and a remarkable combination of operatic tradition with dramatic requirements. All the singers in this 70's recording step up to the musical challenge of their respective roles. Mezzo soprano sensation Marilyn Horne was one of the American singers (along Leonyne Price, Grace Bumbry and Beverly Sills) to garner international acclaim. Horne has the perfect coloratura-mezzo voice for Rossini and bel canto opera. She pulls out all the stops in this recording. She is perhaps singing her best role. A level of grand mezzo-coloratura singing is delivered, and she is in great shape. She lives the role and understands Rossini's music. She is supported by soprano Lela Cuberli and bass Nicolo Zaccaria singing their hearts out. This is a splendid opera, with moments of beauty and power. All fans of Marilyn Horne will want to get this recording. Especially moving is the death finale. Conductor Ralf Weikert conducts with flair and musicality, bringing out the essence of this opera. Rossini is himself writing an opera that seems to be grander than what it is. The nobility of the characters, the spiritual core of the final music and the virtuosity of the piece seems to speak of his youthful talent. This most definately was his greatest earlier opera.

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