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Donizetti: Pia De' Tolomei / Arrivabeni, Ciofi, Et Al

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Details

Composer
DONIZETTI, GAETANO
Artist
Ciofi, Schmunck, Schroeder, Polverelli, Arrivabeni, Teatro La Fenice Di Venezia
Format
CD
Label
Dynamic
Released
Jan 01, 2005
Catalog #
DYN-CDS488
UPC
8007144604882

About

Composed for Venice in 1837, just a year-and-a-half after the fantastic success of Lucia di Lammermoor, Pia de' Tolomei "pleased altogether", in the composer's words. He revised it a couple of times thereafter and it was shown at various theaters as distant as Malta until 1855, after which it disappeared. It takes place in 13th-century Siena: Pia is married to Nello; his cousin Ghino loves her but she refuses his advances. Ghino angrily accuses Pia of adultery with an unknown man, who turns out to be Pia's brother, Rodrigo, and Nello imprisons her. Ghino eventually feels remorse and confesses his deception, but not soon enough to save Pia from being poisoned by Nello.

One of the formal weaknesses of the opera is that Rodrigo is a mezzo-soprano role, and that type of travesty never quite works; but even elsewhere, the fact that Pia is so passive, added to generally formulaic writing, keeps the opera from being a winner. Still, there are some fine Donizettian tunes and scenes, and it's worth hearing.

This live performance finds a remarkably committed cast struggling uphill against Donizetti's lack of true inspiration, but the singers turn out a satisfying experience in the end. The star is Patrizia Ciofi as Pia. She delivers a specific, focused reading, beautifully sung and filled with as much textual and tonal nuance as the score allows. Her voice has gained body in the middle and the top still gleams. Ghino is sung by tenor Dario Schmunck, and he exhibits a fine, ringing tenor and good Donizettian style; his opening aria and cabaletta and the second half of his duet with Nello are exciting, vigorous parts of the score, and he tears into them well. Baritone Andrew Schroeder has a nice snarl as Nello, but aside from the cabaletta to his duet with Ghino he has pretty ordinary music. Rodrigo is given similarly uninteresting music, and Laura Polverelli sings it well enough. The chorus sings with as much involvement as the cast, which is saying a great deal, and the orchestra plays with verve under Paolo Arrivabeni. Recommended for Donizetti completists.

--Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com

Italian/English libretto included.

Tracklist 38 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Prelude 00:45
    Track
    1
    Title
    Prelude
    Duration
    00:45
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  3. 2 Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 1: Ancor del frosco (Chorus 1, Chorus 2) - Scene 2: Di', quel (Chorus 1, Chorus 2) - Scene 3: Signor (Ubaldo, Ghino) 05:35
    Track
    2
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 1: Ancor del frosco (Chorus 1, Chorus 2) - Scene 2: Di', quel (Chorus 1, Chorus 2) - Scene 3: Signor (Ubaldo, Ghino)
    Duration
    05:35
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Francesco Meli, Dario Schmunck
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  4. 3 Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 3: Non puo dirti la parola (Ghino) - Scene 4: Ebben? (Ghino, Bice, Ubaldo) 03:15
    Track
    3
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 3: Non puo dirti la parola (Ghino) - Scene 4: Ebben? (Ghino, Bice, Ubaldo)
    Duration
    03:15
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Clara Polito, Dario Schmunck, Francesco Meli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  5. 4 Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 4: Mi volesti sventurato? (Ghino, Ubaldo) 02:22
    Track
    4
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 4: Mi volesti sventurato? (Ghino, Ubaldo)
    Duration
    02:22
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Dario Schmunck, Francesco Meli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  6. 5 Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 5: Qui posta il fianco (Ladies-in-Waiting) 02:46
    Track
    5
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 5: Qui posta il fianco (Ladies-in-Waiting)
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  7. 6 Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 5: A voi son grata … (Pia, Bice) 02:10
    Track
    6
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 5: A voi son grata … (Pia, Bice)
    Duration
    02:10
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Clara Polito
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  8. 7 Part I: Tableua 1: Scene 5: O tu, che desti il fulmine (Pia, Bice, Ladies-in-Waiting) 03:32
    Track
    7
    Title
    Part I: Tableua 1: Scene 5: O tu, che desti il fulmine (Pia, Bice, Ladies-in-Waiting)
    Duration
    03:32
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Clara Polito
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  9. 8 Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 6: Pia … (Lamberto, Pia, Ladies-in-Waiting) 01:42
    Track
    8
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 6: Pia … (Lamberto, Pia, Ladies-in-Waiting)
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Carlo Cigni
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  10. 9 Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 6: Di pura gioia in estasi (Pia, Bice, Lamberto, Ladies-in-Waiting) 03:03
    Track
    9
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 1: Scene 6: Di pura gioia in estasi (Pia, Bice, Lamberto, Ladies-in-Waiting)
    Duration
    03:03
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Clara Polito, Carlo Cigni
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  11. 10 Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 7: Giurai svenarlo (Nello) - Scene 8: Nello? (Ghino, Nello) 04:44
    Track
    10
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 7: Giurai svenarlo (Nello) - Scene 8: Nello? (Ghino, Nello)
    Duration
    04:44
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Dario Schmunck, Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  12. 11 Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 8: Parea celeste spirito (Nello, Ghino) 03:34
    Track
    11
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 8: Parea celeste spirito (Nello, Ghino)
    Duration
    03:34
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Dario Schmunck, Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  13. 12 Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 8: Del ciel che non punisce (Nello, Ghino) 02:28
    Track
    12
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 8: Del ciel che non punisce (Nello, Ghino)
    Duration
    02:28
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Dario Schmunck, Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  14. 13 Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 9: In questa de' viventi orrida tomba (Rodrigo) 02:54
    Track
    13
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 9: In questa de' viventi orrida tomba (Rodrigo)
    Duration
    02:54
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Laura Polverelli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  15. 14 Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 9: Mille volte sul campo d'onore (Rodrigo) - Scene 10: Omai l'istante e presso (Warder, Rodrigo) 04:00
    Track
    14
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 9: Mille volte sul campo d'onore (Rodrigo) - Scene 10: Omai l'istante e presso (Warder, Rodrigo)
    Duration
    04:00
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Laura Polverelli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  16. 15 Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 10: L'astro che regge i miei destini (Rodrigo) 03:06
    Track
    15
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 2: Scene 10: L'astro che regge i miei destini (Rodrigo)
    Duration
    03:06
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Laura Polverelli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  17. 16 Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 11: Di Ghino il cenno (Ubaldo, Armigeri) - Scene 12: Tuttu e silenzio! (Pia) - Scene 13: Ah, signora … (Lamberto, Pia) - Scene 14: Pia … (Rodrigo, Pia, Lamberto) 06:34
    Track
    16
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 11: Di Ghino il cenno (Ubaldo, Armigeri) - Scene 12: Tuttu e silenzio! (Pia) - Scene 13: Ah, signora … (Lamberto, Pia) - Scene 14: Pia … (Rodrigo, Pia, Lamberto)
    Duration
    06:34
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Francesco Meli, Carlo Cigni
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  18. 17 Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 14: Fra queste braccia (Pia, Rodrigo) 04:06
    Track
    17
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 14: Fra queste braccia (Pia, Rodrigo)
    Duration
    04:06
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Laura Polverelli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  19. 18 Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 15: L'uscio dischiudi (Nello, Lamberto, Rodrigo, Pia) - Scene 16: Ch'io sveni entrambi … (Nello, Pia, Ghino, Lamberto) - Scene 17: Fuggito egli e! (Nello, Ubaldo, Ghino, Bice … ) 01:41
    Track
    18
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 15: L'uscio dischiudi (Nello, Lamberto, Rodrigo, Pia) - Scene 16: Ch'io sveni entrambi … (Nello, Pia, Ghino, Lamberto) - Scene 17: Fuggito egli e! (Nello, Ubaldo, Ghino, Bice … )
    Duration
    01:41
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Laura Polverelli, Andrew Schroeder, Carlo Cigni
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  20. 19 Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 17: Ahime, quell'anelito il core mi gela (Ghino, Nello, Pia, Bice, Ladies-in-Waiting) 04:19
    Track
    19
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 17: Ahime, quell'anelito il core mi gela (Ghino, Nello, Pia, Bice, Ladies-in-Waiting)
    Duration
    04:19
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Dario Schmunck, Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  21. 20 Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 18: Quel codardo ne deluse! (Ubaldo, Nello, Ghino, Pia, Soldiers, Bice, Ladies-in-Waiting) 03:38
    Track
    20
    Title
    Part I: Tableau 3: Scene 18: Quel codardo ne deluse! (Ubaldo, Nello, Ghino, Pia, Soldiers, Bice, Ladies-in-Waiting)
    Duration
    03:38
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Francesco Meli, Dario Schmunck, Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  22. Disc 2
  23. 1 Part II: Tableau 1: Scene 1: Cinto di rosse nubi (Chorus, Lamberto, Rodrigo) 04:20
    Track
    1
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 1: Scene 1: Cinto di rosse nubi (Chorus, Lamberto, Rodrigo)
    Duration
    04:20
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Laura Polverelli, Carlo Cigni
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  24. 2 Part II: Tableau 1: Scene 1: Ah, si barbara minaccia (Rogdrigo, Lamberto) - Scene 2: Signor … (Rodrigo's Men, Rodrigo, Lamberto) 02:48
    Track
    2
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 1: Scene 1: Ah, si barbara minaccia (Rogdrigo, Lamberto) - Scene 2: Signor … (Rodrigo's Men, Rodrigo, Lamberto)
    Duration
    02:48
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Laura Polverelli, Carlo Cigni
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  25. 3 Part II: Tableau 1: Scene 2: A me stesso un Dio mi rende … (Rodrigo, Rodrigo's Men) 03:06
    Track
    3
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 1: Scene 2: A me stesso un Dio mi rende … (Rodrigo, Rodrigo's Men)
    Duration
    03:06
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Laura Polverelli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  26. 4 Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 3: Tu, Ghino, all Maremme? (Ubaldo, Ghino) - Scene 4: Chi veggio! (Pia, Ghino) 03:42
    Track
    4
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 3: Tu, Ghino, all Maremme? (Ubaldo, Ghino) - Scene 4: Chi veggio! (Pia, Ghino)
    Duration
    03:42
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Francesco Meli, Dario Schmunck
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  27. 5 Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 4: Si! Tu morrai (Ghino, Pia) 01:35
    Track
    5
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 4: Si! Tu morrai (Ghino, Pia)
    Duration
    01:35
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Dario Schmunck
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  28. 6 Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 4: Ti muova il gemito dell'innocente … (Pia, Ghino) 03:16
    Track
    6
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 4: Ti muova il gemito dell'innocente … (Pia, Ghino)
    Duration
    03:16
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Dario Schmunck
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  29. 7 Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 4: Ah, nei tuo seno atroce (Pia, Ghino) 01:15
    Track
    7
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 4: Ah, nei tuo seno atroce (Pia, Ghino)
    Duration
    01:15
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Dario Schmunck
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  30. 8 Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 4: Puo la mia fiamma spegnersi (Ghino, Pia) 03:17
    Track
    8
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 4: Puo la mia fiamma spegnersi (Ghino, Pia)
    Duration
    03:17
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Dario Schmunck
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  31. 9 Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 5: Divampera tremenda oggi la guerra (Ubaldo) 01:40
    Track
    9
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 2: Scene 5: Divampera tremenda oggi la guerra (Ubaldo)
    Duration
    01:40
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Francesco Meli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  32. 10 Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 6: Il mugghiar di si fera procella (All) 05:16
    Track
    10
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 6: Il mugghiar di si fera procella (All)
    Duration
    05:16
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Daniel Borowski
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
  33. 11 Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 6: Un calpesito di rapidi (Piero) - Scene 7: Piero … (Nello, Piero) 02:57
    Track
    11
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 6: Un calpesito di rapidi (Piero) - Scene 7: Piero … (Nello, Piero)
    Duration
    02:57
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Andrew Schroeder, Daniel Borowski
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  34. 12 Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 7: Lei perduta, in core ascondo (Nello) 02:27
    Track
    12
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 7: Lei perduta, in core ascondo (Nello)
    Duration
    02:27
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  35. 13 Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 7: Fragor di spade! (Piero, Nello) - Scene 8: Oh, ciel! (Nello, Piero, Chorus, Ghino) 03:41
    Track
    13
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 7: Fragor di spade! (Piero, Nello) - Scene 8: Oh, ciel! (Nello, Piero, Chorus, Ghino)
    Duration
    03:41
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Daniel Borowski, Dario Schmunck, Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  36. 14 Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 8: Ciel pietoso, un cor ti parla (Nello, Piero, Chorus) 02:47
    Track
    14
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 3: Scene 8: Ciel pietoso, un cor ti parla (Nello, Piero, Chorus)
    Duration
    02:47
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Andrew Schroeder, Daniel Borowski
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  37. 15 Part II: Tableau 4: Scene 9: A questo nappo bevera tra poco (Ubaldo, Pia) 07:17
    Track
    15
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 4: Scene 9: A questo nappo bevera tra poco (Ubaldo, Pia)
    Duration
    07:17
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Francesco Meli
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  38. 16 Part II: Tableau 4: Scene 9: Sposo, ah! Tronca ogni dimora … (Pia) 03:53
    Track
    16
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 4: Scene 9: Sposo, ah! Tronca ogni dimora … (Pia)
    Duration
    03:53
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  39. 17 Part II: Tableau 4: Scene 10: Pia? (Nello, Pia, Ubaldo, Chorus, Rodrigo) 03:02
    Track
    17
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 4: Scene 10: Pia? (Nello, Pia, Ubaldo, Chorus, Rodrigo)
    Duration
    03:02
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Francesco Meli, Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni
  40. 18 Part II: Tableau 4: Ah! Di Pia … (Chorus, Rodrigo, Pia, Nello) 05:05
    Track
    18
    Title
    Part II: Tableau 4: Ah! Di Pia … (Chorus, Rodrigo, Pia, Nello)
    Duration
    05:05
    Composer
    Gaetano Donizetti
    Performer
    Patrizia Ciofi, Laura Polverelli, Andrew Schroeder
    Ensemble
    Teatro La Fenice Chorus, Teatro La Fenice Orchestra
    Conductor
    Paolo Arrivabeni