CLASSIC RECORDINGS FROM ONE OF THE WORLD’S GREAT OPERA HOUSES

A rare recording of Pergolesi’s second opera, a comic and colourful tale of tangled love in which three girls resist their arranged marriages in pursuit of the same young man. Rediscovered by conductor Riccardo Muti, this forgotten jewel sparkles in its 1989 period production.

Sung in Italian (Neapolitan dialect) with English subtitles.

Alessandro Corbelli, Nuccia Focile, Amelia Felle, Bernadette Manca di Nissa, Luciana D'Intino, Ezio Di Cesare, Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz, Nicoletta Curiel, Bruno De Simone, Luca Bonini
Orchestra & Chorus of Teatro alla Scala / Riccardo Muti
Stage Director Roberto De Simone


Reviews
‘This production is welcome as a musically historical document, and gives an insight into the development of opera as an art form....John Portwood – MusicWeb
The singers are all of high quality, with possibly Nuccia Focile outstanding as Ascanio, the adopted heir of Marcaniello; the casting of a female in this part possibly reflects the common practice of the use of a castrati for these parts in the eighteenth century. The three ladies are well suited to their parts, the dresses are rich and extravagant, and each one conveys a sense of somewhat haughty condescension to their situation. The male parts are well differentiated, with Marcianello as an old roué who suffers the pangs of old age and the gout, Carlo as a Roman bourgeois who fancies himself as a swordsman, and the extraordinary Don Pietro as the one who is made the figure of ridicule. The other two female parts are of Vanella and Cardella, maids to Carlo and Marccaniello respectively, who give witty, bright and coquettish performances.
Riccardo Muti is to be congratulated in bringing to light a quite important work, previously neglected. The performance by the orchestra of La Scala is excellent, with well sprung rhythms and plenty of bite to the strings.’
Music Web International

‘This is a nicely traditional production of 18th C Italian comedy. It is a leisurely entertainment, with acres of recitative and heavy humour, very stylish staging and unfussy production, a good cast of experienced singers who are not afraid to stand still to deliver. Several of the arias and ensembles are gems, all supported by the La Scala orchestra in the safe hands of Riccardo Muti. The revolving set is simple and serviceable, with moods suggested by the lighting; the costumes a particular delight, with some gorgeous hats, which delighted my milliner wife!
It is a welcome release for traditionalists and people who want to retreat from the short attention span preoccupation of today’s film and TV. I recommend it as a worth-while addition to a collection of early opera, and it looks good on the TV screen.’
Musical Pointers

'Lo frate ‘nnamorato was Pergolesi’s first comic opera, written in 1732 when he was 22 (just four years before he tragically died). Staged in Naples, it made his name. Muti conducts a warm-hearted performance that leaves you smiling.'
Opera Now

‘It’s a warm-hearted, witty celebration of the local – social-climbing Neopolitans wooing middle-class Roman sisters, sassy servants ridiculing their betters, a lovelorn adopted son revealed as the Romans’ long-lost brother, jokes about gout and ridiculous clothes – and in this Roberto Di Simone staging it’s delivered with a polish that makes almost every moment a delight.
It’s a high-level ensemble, to which the comic brilliance of the baritones Alessandro Corbelli and Bruno De Simone, the lustrous voices of the sopranos Nuccia Focile, Amelie Felle and Elizabeth Norberg-Schulz and mezzos Manca di Nissa, Luciana D’Intino and Nicoletta Curiel, and the fluent pacing of the whole make a joyful contribution.’
BBC Music Magazine

CAT NO: OA LS3005 D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 4:3
LENGTH: 172 MINS
SOUND: DOLBY STEREO
SUBTITLES: EN
RELEASED: 01/07/2004
NO OF DISCS: 1