Dive into the rich world of Italian opera with Umberto Giordano's "Marcella," a captivating work that stands as the composer's seventh opera. Originally premiered at the Teatro Lirico in Milan in 1907, this recording is a world premiere on CD, offering a unique opportunity to experience Giordano's powerful storytelling and melodic genius. "Marcella" is a dramatic journey through love, sacrifice, and the complexities of human relationships, all set to Giordano's lush and evocative score.
This album, released by Dynamic, features a full performance of the opera, spanning approximately one hour and four minutes. The tracklist is meticulously divided into acts and scenes, allowing you to follow the narrative closely. From the opening notes of "Ah, Drasco, buona sera!" to the poignant final scene, each track is a testament to Giordano's mastery of the operatic form. The cast delivers a compelling performance, bringing depth and nuance to each character, while the orchestration shines with vivid colors and dynamic contrasts.
"Marcella" is not just an opera; it's a historical and cultural artifact that offers a glimpse into the early 20th-century operatic landscape. Giordano's work, though less performed than some of his contemporaries, is a gem waiting to be discovered. This recording is a valuable addition to any opera enthusiast's collection, offering a chance to explore the lesser-known works of a significant composer. The album's release date is January 1, 2008, and it is available on CD, making it accessible for both casual listeners and dedicated opera fans.
2008 Dynamic2008 Dynamic
Tracks
Marcella: Act I Scene 1: Ah, Drasco, buona sera! (Raimonda, Drasco, Ragazze) - Scene 2: Non m'inganno! (Giorgio, Drasco)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act I Scene 2: Certo! Passar pel mondo sconosciuto, ignorato (Giorgio, Drasco)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act I Scene 2: Con chi parla? (Raimonda, Eliana, Lea, Drasco, Giorgio) - Scene 3: Ma e Vernier! (Eliana, Lea, Raimonda, Vernier … ) - Scene 4: Che v'ha fatto costei? (Giorgio, The Women … )Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act I Scene 5: Come va? (Giorgio, Marcella)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act I Scene 5: Io sono sola al mondo e poco mi bastava (Marcella, Giorgio)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act I Scene 5: No, non pensarci piu! (Giorgio, Marcella)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act II Scene 1: Clara! (Marcella, Clara)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act II Scene 1: E vi celate qui, soli e felici (Clara, Marcella) - Scene 2: Carita, carita, belle signore! (Vernier, Le donne, Clara) - Scene 3: Hai lavorato bene (Giorgio, Vernier)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act II Scene 3: E dovrei lasciar tutto, arte gioia, carezze e gioventu … (Giorgio, Vernier) - Scene 4: Andiam! (Clara, Marcella, Vernier) - Scene 5: Ah, fortunati amici! (Marcella, Giorgio)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act II Scene 5: Sempre cosi! Voglimi bene! (Marcella, Giorgio)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act II Scene 6: E qui? Sta bene (Drasco, Giorgio)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act III: PreludeUmberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act III Scene 1: Dolce notte misteriosa qui raccolgo il mio pensiero (Giorgio, Marcella)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act III Scene 1: Non voglio, no, non devi sacrificarti per la poveretta (Marcella, Giorgio)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Marcella: Act III Scene 1: Ecco … e l'ora … (Marcella, Giorgio)Umberto Giordano, Serena Daolio, Danilo Formaggia, Pierluigi Dilengite, Natalizia Carone, Angelica Girardi, Mara D'Antini, Maria Rosa Rondinelli, Marcello Rosiello, Giovanni Coletta, Graziano de Pace, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Manlio Benzi
Umberto Giordano, born in Foggia, Italy, in 1867, was a prominent composer renowned for his contributions to the verismo opera genre. His most celebrated work, "Andrea Chénier," premiered at La Scala in Milan in 1896 and remains a staple in the operatic canon, known for its complex vocal demands and dramatic intensity. Giordano's music is characterized by its forceful melodrama and rich orchestration, which he masterfully employed to bring emotional depth and realism to his operas. Other notable works by Giordano include "Fedora," which debuted in 1898 with the legendary Enrico Caruso in the lead role, and "Siberia," both of which showcase his unique blend of lyricism and verismo style. Giordano's compositions continue to captivate audiences with their powerful narratives and evocative music, securing his place as one of the most influential Italian composers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.