Pizzetti wrote "Assassino nella Cattedrale" based on T S Eliot's play "Murder in the Cathedral" especially for Nicola Rossi Lemeni. TS Eliot was too frail to attend the premiere in Milan, but on hearing the broadcast and seeing the pictures, he declared that Nicola was just as he had imagined his Thomas a Becket. In this aria one of the women of Canterbury describes their sorry situation and the sense of impending doom.
In light of the fact that Pizzetti composed this Opera, expressly for the great basso-cantante, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, to portray Thomas a Becket, how thrilled Pizzetti must have been, to have Rossi-Lemeni's wife, the extraordinary Prima Donna Zeani, participate in this gripping Opera!
Virginia Zeani was Prima Donna Assoluta of Rome Opera for three decades! Listen & you'll see & hear why! Luscious voice, dark as night & smooth as satin, full of emotion. Perfect diction & elegant phrasing, voice even from clear, ringing top to rich, full bottom!
No wonder Rossi-Lemeni found her irresistible; who wouldn't? Talent to burn, and a face to launch ships! Exquisite creature, and lovely lady, too!
In light of the fact that Pizzetti composed this Opera, expressly for the great basso-cantante, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, to portray Thomas a Becket, how thrilled Pizzetti must have been, to have Rossi-Lemeni's wife, the extraordinary Prima Donna Zeani, participate in this gripping Opera!
Such a special treat!
Bravi!
basenjidiva 3 years ago 7
Virginia Zeani was Prima Donna Assoluta of Rome Opera for three decades! Listen & you'll see & hear why! Luscious voice, dark as night & smooth as satin, full of emotion. Perfect diction & elegant phrasing, voice even from clear, ringing top to rich, full bottom!
No wonder Rossi-Lemeni found her irresistible; who wouldn't? Talent to burn, and a face to launch ships! Exquisite creature, and lovely lady, too!
Brava Virginia, mia carissima Diva! Bravaaaa!
basenjidiva 3 years ago 5