Vincenzo Bellini - Zaira (Tragedia lirica in due atti)

Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835)

Zaira

Tragedia lirica in due atti

Katia Ricciarelli (Zaira), Simone Alaimo (Orosmane), Ramón Vargas (Corasmino), Alexandra Papadjakou (Nerestano), Silvana Silbano (Fatima), Roberto De Candia (Meledor), Luigi Roni (Lusignano), Giovanni Palmieri (Castiglione)

Teatro Massimo Bellini di Catania

 Paolo Olmi

Release Date: 13th Oct 2009

Review

There are lots of good reasons to buy this "failed" Bellini opera. First, it is now re-issued in a very attractive form, with a full Italian libretto (no translation - but a detailed synopsis) and equally detailed, intelligent and informative notes in a tastefully designed format with fine art illustrations of various lovely ladies in distress. I have read complaints about extraneous noises in this live recording but as far as I am concerned it's in fine sound and the few creaks and bumps, in combination with some audible prompts, simply add atmosphere; otherwise, the voices are well caught. Thirdly, we have a cast of first class singers: the young Vargas, ardent in a villanous role - which is rather unusual for a tenor - negotiating florid passages with ease and assurance; a young Simon Alaimo, whose light, fluent bass makes him a civilised and attractive Sultan; an excellent mezzo of whom I have never heard, in a breeches role, who blends well with the heroine, and Katia Riciarelli towards the end of her relatively brief career but, once she has warmed up and shaken off a little incipient flatness and tentativeness, singing beautifully, articulating divisions cleanly and producing some lovely effects with her trademark portamento and soft singing. Finally, although "Zaira" is clearly not a masterpiece, it allows us to hear a very well crafted opera. Bellini had confidence in it, and instead of abandoning it, recycled a great deal of its music in the accepted pastiche manner; hence you can have fun trying to spot bits which resurfaced in later works, especially "I Capuleti e i Montecchi". It has a perfectly professional and workmanlike plot and libretto courtesy of that stylish wordsmith Felice Romani, and even if it does not feature the dramatic highs of Bellini's best operas, contains many elegant and melodic numbers, especially the trio at the end of Act 1 which was well received at its first performance.

I am glad to have discovered this recording; it will intrigue lovers of Bellini and especially please fans of La Ricciarelli, whose forté was in affecting cantilena of this kind. It is available cheaply and will repay the modest investment with some bel canto singing of high quality.