Genaux, Farcas, Biondi, Europa Galante - Vincenzo Bellini: I Capuleti E I Montecchi (2015)

For many years Fabio Biondi has been investing Italian scores with his own particular genius, and so it is no real surprise to find him extending his reach into early Romanticism with this Glossa release of 'I Capuleti e i Montecchi'. Bellini’s masterpiece, first performed in 1830 – to Felice Romani’s story of love confronted by struggles for power – seamlessly incorporates large sections from a previously unsuccessful opera and, as did Rossini before him, Bellini calls for a mezzo-soprano in the male lead role. Vivica Genaux is Romeo in Biondi’s production with Europa Galante (made in Rieti) and she is joined by Valentina Farcas as Giulietta and supported by Davide Giusti (Tebaldo), Fabrizio Beggi (Lorenzo) and Ugo Guagliardo (Capellio).

Fabio Biondi clearly intends listeners to discover new details and perspectives on and around the musical score of this new 'Capuleti'. In his notes he talks about his careful attention to questions of the original acoustic conditions for an opera like this; how modern-day orchestras are now much larger than in Bellini’s time; the particular importance of score markings and tempi choices.

Composer: Vincenzo Bellini
Performer: Davide Giusti, Vivica Genaux, Valentina Farcas, Fabrizio Beggi, …
Conductor: Fabio Biondi
Orchestra/Ensemble: Europa Galante

Tracklist:

Disc 1:
01. Sinfonia
Act I:
02. Aggiorna Appena
03. O Di Capellio Generosi Amici
04. E Serbata A Questo Acciaro
05. L'amo, Ah!
06. Vanne, Lorenzo
07. Lieto Del Dolce Incarno
08. Ascolta, Se Romeo
09. Riedi Al Campo
10. La Tremenda Ultrice Spada
11. Andante Maestoso E Sostenuto
12. Eccomi In Lieta Vesta
13. Oh! Quante Volte
14. Propizia e L'ora
15. Si, Fuggire
16. Ah Crudel
17. Odi Tu?
18. Vieni, Ah!
19. Lieta Notte, Avventurosa
20. Deh! Per Pieta T'arresta
21. Qual Tumulto!
22. Tace Il Fragor
23. Io Te Lo Chiedo
24. Che Miro?
25. Soccorso, Sostegno
26. Accorriam Romeo!
27. Se Ogni Speme

Disc 2:
Act II:
01. Allegro Moderato
02. Ne Alcun Ritorna!
03. Morte Io Non Temo
04. Prendi: Gli Istanti Volano
05. Ah! Non Poss'io Partire
06. Qual Turbamento Io Provo
07. Maestoso - Deserto e Il Luogo
08. Chi Sei Tu, Che Ardisci
09. Qua' Voci!
10. Ella e Morta
11. Andante Mosso - Siam Giunti
12. Ecco La Tomba
13. Deh! Tu Bell'anima
14. U Tu Mia Sola Speme
15. Ahi Crudel! Che Mai Facesti