Aprile Millo/Zaza/Leoncavallo

I include this emotional excerpt from this splendid opera to allow more people to become familiar with it and in loving tribute to the memory of the wonderful and wise Maestro Silipigni with whom I shared the honor of bringing this piece to New York once again in November of 2005.

Teatro Grattacielo, a meticulous and very informed group led by the marvelous Duane Printz gathered a great cast, with the tenor, Gerard Powers featured here.

This is the last act and the final section of the duet between Milios and Zaza', where Zaza' has told him she knows of his betrayal and that he is a married man with a child that she met when she visited his wife!!

He unravels of course at the news and she suffers his insults which bring her closer than she wanted to the awful truth that she was only a "distraction" for him nothing more.

She ultimately tells him that she didn't reveal anything of his treachery, and summoning some shread of dignity she says he must leave and never return.

Having sent him away she realizes that her dream of a family of her own with a man she loved so desperately would never be.

She panics. "What have I done?" and runs to the window to call him back. With her face against the window pane she sees that he is on the street where she always waved to him as he came, and that he. is. not. looking. back. He turns the corner...It is over.

The scene ends in the heartbreaking sounds of a woman whose dreams and hopes are shattered and lying in pieces at her feet.

Enjoy the unabashed emotion of the world of verismo and revel in this little hint of a great opera too long neglected.

I have used for images some magnificent works of the sculptor Auguste Rodin, pieces I adore. No copyright infringement is intended. With every respect due to all. The description of the opera is copyrighted and was written by me. (c)2005

Category:

Music

Tags:

• aprile
• millo
• zaza
• verismo
• soprano
• rare
• silipigni
• classical
• opera