Gaetano Donizetti - Alfredo il Grande - "Non m'ingannai" (Bruce Ford)

Here is a new double upload of two arias from Donizetti's largely forgotten "Alfredo il Grande". From what I can see in the libretto and the score, the opera is largely conventional in both sentiment and music, still it would be interesting to hear it in performance. And while we are still waiting for a recording of the work, we have an opportunity to savor the work in two excepts recorded by Opera Rara.

The first one is the cavatina for the title-hero as he returns to his native land in hopes of vengeance and seeing his beloved, Amelia. The scene starts with a rather good prelude, suggestive of Alfredo's troubled mind. A well-phrased recitative follows, succeeded by a three-part aria. The piece was actually written for Nozzari, so the classic Nozzari structure applies fully: a brilliant march-like section exploring both the lower and highest reaches of Nozzari's voice opens the aria. What shocks the listener is the complete absence of any sort of cantabile. The middle section sounds more like a tempo di mezzo than an important movement. The cabaletta is very conventional but gentle and loving, that is especially true to the longing "amato ben".

Thankfully, the piece is sung by Bruce Ford who brings credibility and power to the whole scene. Enjoy :)!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Donizetti
• coloratura
• belcanto
• classical

[mxwhisper]

I too add my thanks for the opportunity to hear these rare works and your informative commentary.

[aldiboronti]

I've been meaning to express my gratitude to you for some time for the feast of bel canto you've prepared for us, and I'll take the opportunity of this fascinating extract from Alfredo Il Grande so to do. I've been an ardent fan of the operas of Rossini, Donizetti, etc for 40 years, and I've always longed to be able to hear some of the rarer works. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a resource as this. Not only the pieces themselves but your learned commentary. Many thanks!

[dhoulkarnain]

Thank you so much lindoro.