With his early theatrical successes, Wolf-Ferrari brought a transparency of sound and a sense of lightness and charm to the realm of Italian opera. Alongside...

With his early theatrical successes, Wolf-Ferrari brought a transparency of sound and a sense of lightness and charm to the realm of Italian opera. Alongside these qualities came a renewal of opera buffa, of which he proved to be a master – exemplified in the overtures and excerpts heard here. The comic energy and vibrancy of Il segreto di Susanna, the melodic beauty of Il campiello and the sweeping lustre of I gioielli della Madonna show how Wolf-Ferrari reinvigorated the genre through his incomparable passion and expression. Austrian conductor Friedrich Haider and the Oviedo Filarmonía have recorded admired Wolf-Ferrari albums for Naxos – see Talitha Kumi! on 8.573716: ‘The melodic inspiration is consistent, and the performances by the Coro El León de Oro under Friedrich Haider vividly convey the texts and moods’ (Fanfare).