Donizetti: Pietro Il Grande [Blu-ray]

Il falegname di Livonia, o Pietro il grande, czar delle Russie - оперная буффа 1819 года в двух действиях с музыкой Гаэтано Доницетти, поставленная на либретто Герардо Бевилаква-Альдобрандини.

Pietro il Grande, Kzar delle Russie o Il falegname di Livonia (‘Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia or The Livonian Carpenter’) was Donizetti’s second opera, composed when he was 22 years old, and the first to receive more than one production. To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the work’s première in 2019, the Fondazione Teatro Donizetti di Bergamo staged this rare melodramma burlesco in a new critical edition. The influence of Rossini and Mozart is clear, but the young Donizetti still managed to create a fresh and lively work that displayed early evidence of his mature style. This Donizetti Festival performance received widespread international acclaim, with a cast of excellent singers and a unique staging by Ondadurto Teatro (Marco Paciotti and Lorenzo Pasquali), influenced by Russian avant-garde art of the early 20th century.

‘The staging is brilliant.’ – Opéra Magazine

‘A contemporary and most definitely “pop” rendition.’ – Il Messaggero

‘Roberto de Candia showcased a virtuosic and powerful baritone… the outstanding cast is not be missed.’ – Operawire

‘The scene was stolen by the acting effervescence and the remarkable vocal presence of Marco Filippo Romano, a basso buffo who sang the exhilarating role of Ser Cuccupis… Loriana Castellano and Paola Gardina, as Caterina and Madama Fritz respectively demonstrated expressive qualities and vocal preciousness that have given an extra dimension to their characters.’ – Bachtrack

Festival Donizetti Opera 2019 – Teatro Sociale, Bergamo