Gaetano Donizetti: francesca Di Foix (Opera Rara Audio CD)

Opera Rara Donizetti CD

Annick Massis; Pietro Spagnoli; Jennifer Larmore; Bruce Ford; Alfonso Antoniozzi; Geoffrey Mitchell Choir; London Philharmonic Orchestra; Antonello Allemandi, conductor


No one has ever seen Francesca, Countess of Foix (Annick Massis) because her jealous husband, The Count (Alfonso Antoniozzi) keeps her locked in a tower. You can't really blame him - his employer, The King (Pietro Spagnoli) has a famous eye for the ladies. But surely this can't be a problem because she is so ugly - we know this because the Count tells everyone. The King is suspicious and the Page (Jennifer Larmore) and the Duke (Bruce Ford) are curious. Just how hideous can she be?

A one-act opera in 1831 had little chance of survival after the first performances. With the public's insatiable appetite for new works Francesca di Foix was a Donizetti heroine destined to remain on the shelf - until Opera Rara came to her rescue. Now in this witty and captivating recording, the beauties of Donizetti's charming score can once again be enjoyed by one and all.

"Annick Massis has an almost superhuman ability to sing coloratura" ~ Robert Thickness, The Times