Vincenzo Bellini - La sonnambula - "Son geloso del zeffiretto" (Patrizia Ciofi & Giuseppe Morino)

Though I'm not a fan of the Sicilian composer, Bellini's "La sonnambula" is, in a word, perfect, a most superb example of a pastoral opera connecting an idealistic story with gentle music, a fine achievement and a model belcanto opera which is, at the very-very least, a succession of inspired musical numbers of extreme charm.

I've recently had an opportunity to listen to a somewhat new recording of the work which I find myself especially drawn to. It's stars Patrizia Ciofi, Giuseppe Morino, Giovanni Furlanetto and Maria Costanza Nocentini under the leadership of Giuliano Carella. There are many superb "Sonnambulas" on the market that can rival the present one, but it, though recorded live, has something particularly Italian about it and it's well-sung and, even more importantly, well-conducted and played. I've decided to post just a few selections to provide the listeners with a chance to judge the merits of the recording themselves.

The lovers of the opera have not one, but two expressions of love, each of them special in their own way. But their intimate second duettino is, perhaps, best, as it helps to truly outline the lovers' deep feelings. The present version is superbly uplifting, my only quibble comes at the very end with the loud, high ending which seems to be part of tradition but does not suit the scene that calls for a more understated closing. Other than that, a truly heartfelt rendition.

Patrizia Ciofi and Giuseppe Morino are staggeringly in unison, creating two real people. Hope you'll enjoy :)!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Bellini
• coloratura
• belcanto
• soprano
• La
• sonnambula
• Patrizia
• Ciofi
• classical

[dkcel]

Hi LindoroRossini. Thanks for the nice recording. I didn't know Patrizia Ciofi or Giuseppi Morino at all, but will definitely keep an ear open for them. Did you know that Bellini wrote this opera for a Mezzo-soprano in the role of Amina. We are so used to hearing a soprano, but I discovered a 2008 recording from Decca with Cecilia Bartoli as Amina and Juan Diego Flórez as Elvino and it is absolutely fantastic.... When you've listened this this you can understand why Bellini wrote it for a mezzo.

[jrakg]

Yes, the opera is perfect in the way you indicate, LindoroRossini. - John Austin, Australia

[Yaouzer]

Whatever happened to Morino?

[lmspr]

Excellent. Their voices mix so incredibly well.

[Shotty14]

Bellissime