Arrigo Boito: Nerone - Teatro Lirico di Cagliari (2024) [Blu-ray]

A century after its world premiere at Teatro all Scala under Arturo Toscanini, conductor Francesco Cilluffo opened the 2024 season of the Teatro Lirico in Cagliari with this acclaimed production of Arrigo Boito’s rarely performed Nerone. Set in Rome and focusing on Nero during a time of conflict between belief in Roman gods and Christianity, Boito’s opera displays a forward-looking harmonic palette with an eloquent and masterly handling of large orchestral forces.

‘A refined staging for Nerone's debut in Sardinia... The score is impressive, enhanced by the attentive and meticulous Francesco Cilluffo who recreate the magic of the score. Excellent vocal cast…’ – Ansa

‘… [Francesco Cilluffo] knows and loves this music very well, and is capable of exalting its merits and hiding some of its flaws, with a mastery that is both technical and, so to speak, “spiritual”.’ – Musica

‘… A production of great dramaturgical intelligence... Francesco Cilluffo, together with a participatory and brilliantly orchestra, unravels the harmonic boldness of the score with commendable accuracy, making them listenable through a very thoughtful concertation even in the dynamic impulses and without ever losing sight of the melodic texture… [The cast] was of an excellent level.’ – Le Salon Musical

Recording place: Teatro Lirico di Cagliari, Italy
Recording date: 16 February 2024