Gaetano Donizetti: Maria Padilla (Opera Rara Audio CD 3-Disc Set)

Opera Rara Donizetti 3 CD

Lois McDonall, Della Jones, Graham Clark, Christian de Plessis, Roderick Earle, Ian Caley, Roderick Kennedy, Joan Davies, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Conductor Alun Francis.


The story of Maria Padilla, the mistress of Pedro the Cruel of Castile. Maria's duet with her sister became a famous concert piece - but perhaps the most unusual feature is the mad scene for Maria's father - a tenor!

The most enduring number from this opera was the duet of Maria and her sister Ines, which became a popular concert piece in the nineteenth century. Maria's father, Ruiz, discovers the identity of her lover and , burdened by shame, loses his reason. Donizetti rises to this dramatic challenge, writing a poignant mad scene - this time for a tenor voice. This was a very successful opera for Donizetti, written in 1841.


'A fascinating and valuable recording' - The New York Times