Martin Y Soler: Il Burbero Di Buon Cuore / Rousset, Madrid Teatro Real

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MARTÍN Y SOLER Il burbero di buon cuore Christophe Rousset, cond; Elena de la Merced ( Angelica ); Carlos Chausson ( Ferramondo ); Véronique Gens ( Madama Lucilla ); Saimir Pirgu ( Giocondo ); Cecilia Diaz ( Marina ); Juan Francisco Gatell ( Valerio ); O Sinfónica de Madrid DYNAMIC 58801-2 (2 CDs 136:20) Live: Madrid 11/2007


This performance has been previously released on a Dynamic DVD and was reviewed in Fanfare 33:4 by Barry Brenesal. The opera opened in 1786, the same year as Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro , and both were revived in Vienna three years later. In the revival of Il bubero di buon cuore , since Martín y Soler was then in the court of Catherine the Great in St. Petersburg, Mozart wrote two new arias for Madama Lucilla. “Chi sa qual sia l’affano” and “Vado, ma dove, o Dei?,” which are beautifully sung on this recording by Véronique Gens, the first aria on CD 1, track 18, and the second on CD 2, track 4.


The libretto, by Lorenzo da Ponte, was taken from a 1771 play, Le bourru bien-faisant by Carlo Goldoni. The plot concerns two young lovers who after many intrigues and disguises finally receive the approval of their bad-tempered uncle Ferramondo. The booklet contains a well-written version of the complicated plot.


Carlos Chausson in the star role of Ferramondo has a resonant basso buffo, Pirgu and Gatell are both fine lyric tenors. Pirgu has a longer role and displays an attractive tonal quality. Diaz as Marina is the weakest member of the cast but her contralto is best at the bottom of her range. Roussett is a fine conductor, and the sound is fine.


As Barry Brenesal wrote in his review of the DVD of this production: “In short—with a few noted reservations—this is a fine cast in an unusually well–directed production of an entertaining forgotten opera.”


The booklet contains a list of the tracks, notes by Danilo Prefumo translated into English by T. A. Shaw as well as a plot synopsis. I have found that the DVD is not easily available today, and therefore recommend this interesting CD of what is an entertaining opera for all those who admire classical music.


FANFARE: Bob Rose


Product Description:


  • Catalog Number: DYN-CDS580


  • UPC: 8007144605803


  • Label: Dynamic


  • Composer: Vicente Martin y Soler


  • Conductor: Christophe Rousset


  • Orchestra/Ensemble: Madrid Teatro Real Orchestra


  • Performer: Carlos Chausson, Cecilia Diaz, Elena De la Merced, Juan Francisco Gatell, Luca Pisaroni, Saimir Pirgu, Véronique Gens