
John Andrews, conductor of Pia de’ Tolomei, picks his favourite extracts from Donizetti’s rarely performed opera.
Mi volesti sventurato (Ghino cabaletta)
Bel canto singing at its best brought phenomenal energy in to the opera houses of Italy and Europe. The sheer swagger, arrogance and vocal brilliance of Ghino’s music as he plans the downfall of his one-time idol perfectly illustrates the man we see on stage. Driving rhythmic support from the orchestra accompanies a mellifluous, florid, and dramatically-charged vocal line, setting the stage for the tragedy that will unfold.
O tu che desti il fulmine (Pia’s cavatina)
Donizetti’s wonderful economy in this opera is nowhere better illustrated than in the speed with which he paints the heroine in music. Noble, assured and...