Virginia Zeani in a duet from Verdi's "Alzira'

Alzira was premiered in Naples in 1845. The story is set in Peru. ALzira, an Inca Princess is sought in marriage by Gusmano, a conquistador. She rejects him and is imprisoned. When her Peruvian lover Zamoro is captured Gusmano offers to save his life and free him if she will give him her hand. She agrees, but at the wedding Zamoro returns and fatally stabs Gusmano. With his final breath Gusman forgives Zamoro and blesses the union of the faithful couple.

Verdi was never entirely satisfied with the opera. though this duet, with pre-echoes of Rigoletto, Il Trovatore and Macbetto, is clearly a prototype for more famous Verdi soprano-baritone duets.

It was successfully revived with this cast in a spectacular production at the Rome Opera House in 1967. Zeani made the cover of Opera Magazine and ostrich feathers were de rigeur for the season.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Virginia
• Zeani
• Italian
• Opera
• Verdi
• Rigoletto
• Il
• Trovatore
• Macbetto
• Peru
• conquistadors

[elenaceza]

e una dintre cele mai faimoase cantarete din romania she is one of the most faimos roumanian opera singers do you like her voice?? I am pround of beeing roumanian too all the best

[CharlotteinWeimar]

She is my favourite soprano in the "italian" repertoire. i am posting all I can from her personal recordings to generate interest in her wonderful singing so that everyone can enjoy it. So, please spread the word that this is the "Zeani BUZZ"

[basenjidiva]

The emotion in her voice stands my hair on end! Perfect diction; every syllable enunciated! And the technical vocality is exquisite.

Gorgeous in her costume. The ostrich must have been delighted to donate his feathers to her! I have yet to hear her less than perfect; such a difficult standard to maintain, but she managed to do it!

Bless you, dearest Virginia, for all the joy you have brought to so many of us nameless, faceless creatures who adore you. Brava, Diva!

Viva Zeani!

Great posting!

[21donbar1]

A treasure, indeed!! Thank you, Charlotte, for this gem. It was an inkling of the great depths of the Verdi mind that would give us so much beautiful music.

[Raggedy9]

I saw this very production in Rome when I was 14. I was impressed by her unique timbre and her easy command of coloratura. And I remember the feathers! With singing this beautiful, I was won over to this opera that Verdi himself once called "really ugly." But then I love everything by Verdi. Thank you for posting!

[qklq42]

In the dutch operaguide of Leo Riemens he sais (second edition,1960, page 421)......."I doubt if anyone in his live has seen this opera.... or ever will see........ because it is so bad "

This record of Madame Zeani gives the answer. The complete recording is avalebly on VERONA CD 27042/43. Its a great work of the meastro Verdi. But you must choose the right interpretators. Virginia Zeani is in this wonderful opera the absolute star. She makes it to a great performance.

Hans NL

[jocmuc]

@CharlotteinWeimar

you are absolutely right. she is one of the greatest, if not the greatest soprano in the world. she gives me tears and laughter, what ever she wants.

for me she is the number one ever.

thank you so much for posting all this wonderful arias with her.

[JoanNilson]

Charlotte! - dear heart - yet another great Zeani treasure!! Thanks so for this! This was supposedly Verdi's least favorite of his own operas! I think that it is a gem! And the tenor's part (Zamoro) may be among the most beautiful Verdi ever wrote. Charlotte - have you posted Zeani in Donizetti's Maria di Rohan? Her recording of that opera in 1962 must be considered among the greatest singing of the 20th Century! BRAVA!

[bAdAbAdA13]

Although I love this opera (I have about five versions of it), its structure is very formulaic. Fortunatelly, there are some highlights in the score such as this duet, which precludes somewhat the Leonora-Luna duet from Il Trovatore.

[corellithebest]

And of course I agree with Basenjidiva. Her costume is gorgeous and she is so beautiful in it!

[corellithebest]

Dear Charlotte-Yvonne, only today I found this treasure! I am not familiar with this Verdi's opera, but you explained the plot marvellously and it helped me a lot. Zeani is so highly artistic and and her performance filled with genuine emotion! Is this Alzira's duet with Gusmano? Is this the scene where Zamoro returnes? The opera must be gorgeous!

[Pipinoto]

Muchisimas gracias,

esta opera del Maestro Verdi casi no tiene grabaciones.

Por suerte Zeani la cantó y es maravillosa!

Amo a Zeani, es increible su voz.