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GIOVANNI BOTTESINI: ERO & LEANDRO
WORLD PREMIERE – FIRST PERFORMANCE IN MODERN TIMES; Arrigo Boito, libretto

Véronique Mercier, Ero; Gian Luca Pasolini, Leandro; Roberto Scandiuzzi, Ariofarne
Orchestra Filarmonica del Piemonte/Aldo Salvagno, conductor;
Chorus Claudio Monteverdi/Bruno Gini, conductor;
Laura Borello, Gregorio Zurla, directors.
Teatro San Domenico, Crema, October 2009

Dynamic DVD 3367 NTSC, 16:9 | TT: 102 mins

Bottesini is best remembered as a double-bass virtuoso and composer for his instrument. This was the most successful of his seven operas, premiered at the Turin Regio in 1879, with 29 performances, "an absolutely unthinkable number today".

This provincial production of a once popular opera by the famous bassist/composer has given us great pleasure. Forget the staging excesses of multi-national productions going the rounds of the large opera houses, this is little more than a semi-staged show for three soloists, a local chorus and orchestra, and with basically simple filming (though quite a lot of fades and superimpositions).

But it has great integrity, as does the composer who, on this showing, is an uncommonly gifted melodist and fastidious orchestrator.

Standards in this first modern performance are higher than this introduction might suggest. The three singers, soprano, tenor and villainous bass, are fine. The orchestra and chorus give sterling support.

It is quite a special experience, bringing you close to how opera must have often been in smaller towns in Italy (and in Germany too). Every participant is named in the slowly rolling credits, a nice touch.

Definitely one to consider seriously.

Peter Grahame Woolf