Recording of a live performance at Teatro La Fenice, Venice. Darina Takova brings a warm rounded tone to Luisa, and negotiates both the character’s tenderness and passion with dramatic conviction and persuasive musicality. Giuseppe Sabbatini’s Rodolfo makes a strong match for Takova, with a secure, colorful tenor and a dramatically compelling presence. As Walter and Wurm, baritone Alexander Vinogradov and bass Artjun Kotchinian create thrillingly villainous characters with their dark, powerful voices. Mezzo Ursula Ferri sings with richness and depth as Federica. The orchestra and chorus, led by Maurizio Benini, perform with real urgency, and Benini’s flexible tempos drive the tragedy inexorably toward its devastating climax.
La Cambiale di matrimonio
Created by Luigi Squarzina and revived by Giovanno Scandella, with scenes and costumes by Giovanni Agostinacci, this Pesaro production can count on a cast with well-established singers.
Roberto Devereux – Dynamic
Tragedia Lirica in three acts, Libretto by Salvadore Cammarano
La Vedova Scaltra
Wolf-Ferrari wrotes La vedova scaltra as pure amusement, a portrayal of fine intrigue that is, in itself, without any idealistic echoes, following the uncritical line of eighteenth-century comedy – nostalgia for a civilization with ancient roots, which the musician still felt he was part of.