Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Giovanni Paisiello's "Proserpine," a captivating opera that showcases the composer's mastery of the genre. Released in 2004, this two-and-a-half-hour masterpiece is a testament to Paisiello's skill in crafting compelling musical narratives. The opera, set to a rich and dramatic libretto, unfolds over three acts, each filled with arias, choruses, and instrumental pieces that bring the mythological story of Proserpine to life.
Paisiello, primarily renowned for his operatic compositions, demonstrates his versatility and depth in this work. "Proserpine" is a journey through the realms of love, loss, and redemption, as the goddess Proserpine is abducted by Pluto and her mother Ceres seeks to rescue her. The opera's intricate plot is beautifully complemented by Paisiello's melodic genius, creating a harmonious blend of drama and music.
The album features a stellar cast of vocalists and musicians, led by conductor Gennaro Cappabianca, who bring out the nuances and depth of Paisiello's score. From the opening overture to the final, triumphant chorus, each track is a testament to the composer's ability to evoke a range of emotions and atmospheres. The choral pieces, in particular, are a highlight, showcasing the power and beauty of the human voice in harmony.
"Proserpine" is not just an opera; it is a musical experience that transports the listener to a world of myth and legend. The intricate orchestration and the rich, layered vocals create a soundscape that is both immersive and evocative. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
The release by Dynamic Records ensures high-quality audio, allowing every note and nuance to shine through. With a duration of over two hours, "Proserpine" is a substantial work that demands attention and rewards repeated listening. It is a celebration of Giovanni Paisiello's genius and a testament to the enduring power of opera.
2004 Dynamic2004 Dynamic
Tracks
Proserpine: OvertureGiovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 1: Goutons, dans ces aimables lieux (Chorus)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 1: GavotteGiovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 1: Jupiter a vaincu les Titans pour jamais (Proserpina)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 1: GigaGiovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 1: Ce beau sejour brille de nouveaux charmes (Chorus)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 2: Ceres, deesse bienfaisante! (One of the Nymphs, Ceres, The People, Proserpina)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 2: Vous nous rendez l'esperance (The People)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 2: Vous, nymphes de ces bois (Ceres, The Nymphs, The People, Proserpina)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 2: Je sens que le quitte avec peine (Ceres, Chorus)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 3: Ascalaphe, suis-moi (Pluto, Ascalaphe)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 3: J'ai trouve Proserpine, en visitant ces lieux (Pluto)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 3: Pourquoi rougir de la chaine (Ascalaphe, Pluto)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 3: O toi, l'object de mes voeux les plus chers (Pluto, Ascalaphe)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 4: Les beaux jours et la paix (Proserpina, The Nymps, Pluto)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 4: Belles fleurs, charmant ombrage (Proserpina, Nymphs)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 4: Ceres nous a promis (Proserpina)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act I Scene 5: Dieux infernaux, accourez sur mes pas! (Pluto, Proserpina, Ciana, Ascalaphe, Subterranean chorus of divinities of the underworld)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 1: Proserpine! Repondez-nous (All together)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 2: Je vais revoir ma fille (Ceres) - Scene 3: Ma fille n'est (Ceres)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 3: O Ceres! O mere trop tendre! (Chorus, Ceres, Nymphs) - Scene 4: Je ressens vos ennuis (Ciana, Ceres, Chorus)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 4: Ah! Quelle injustice cruelle! (Ceres)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 4: Apres un si sensible outrage (Ceres) - Scene 5: Que tout se ressente (Ceres, People of Sicily)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 6: C'est assez de regrets (Chorus of Shades, Proserpina)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 6: Pluton n'est point (A Shade, Proserpina) - Scene 7: Regrettez moins la lumiere des cieux (Pluto, Proserpina)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 7: Ces lieux, ou le sort nous enchaine (Pluto)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 7: Que deviendra Ceres a qui (Proserpina, Pluto)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 7: Rendez-moi donc (Proserpina, Pluto)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 7: N'importe (Pluto) - Scene 8: Fais suspendre aux enfers les tourments eternels (Pluto)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 8: Rendez hommage a votre reine (Pluto, Chorus, Proserpina)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 8: Quel nouvel espoir vient me luire! (Proserpina)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 8: Triomphez dans ces lieux (Chorus)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act II Scene 8: Sous ces ombrages verts (Chorus, The god of the underworld, Pluto, All the gods of the underworld)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act III: MarcheGiovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act III Scene 1: Vous qui reconnaissez (Pluto, Chorus, The 3 Judges, Minos)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act III Scene 1: Que le ciel menace, qu'il tonne! (Pluto,The 3 Furies, Chorus)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act III Scene 2: De l'aurore au couchant (Ceres) - Scene 3: Renversons toute la nature (Voices from the underworld, Ceres, The 3 Judges, Chorus)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act III Scene 4: L'enfer retient ma fille? (Ceres)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act III Scene 5: Des plaintes de Ceres le ciel a retenti (Chorus, Ceres)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act III Scene 6: Final scene: Ceres, que de vos pleurs le triste cours (Jupiter)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Proserpine: Act III Scene 6: Final scene: Ah! Je benis la voix d'un pere (Proserpina, Jupiter, Pluto, Ceres, All, Chorus)Giovanni Paisiello, Sara Allegretta, Maria Laura Martorana, Giovanna Donadini, Simon Edwards, Piero Guarnera, Fernardo Blanco, Tiziana Spagnoletta, Leonardo Gramegna, Bratislava Chamber Choir, Ensemble di Danza del Festival della Valle d'Itria, Orchestra Internazionale D'Italia, Giuliano Carella
Giovanni Paisiello, born in the small Italian town of Roccaforzata in 1740, was a titan of the Classical era, renowned as the most popular opera composer of the late 1700s. His operatic works, numbering over 80, not only captivated audiences across Europe but also left an indelible mark on the likes of Mozart and Rossini. Paisiello's journey took him from the prestigious Conservatorio di S. Onofrio in Naples to the opulent courts of Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg and Napoleon in Paris. Among his most celebrated works is "Il Barbiere di Siviglia," which, though overshadowed by Rossini's later version, remains a testament to his genius. Beyond his operatic prowess, Paisiello's contributions to church music and concert works further cement his legacy as one of the most influential composers of his time.