Gioachino Rossini - Maometto II - "Giusto ciel, in tal periglio" (June Anderson & Ernesto Palacio)

Before we pass onto the piece itself, here is a list of the soloists and their respective roles:

Anna Erisso - June Anderson,
Calbo - Margarita Zimmermann,
Paolo Erisso - Ernesto Palacio.

4. 0:00 - 2:57. "Giusto ciel, in tal periglio", prayer for Anna and chorus. A justly famous piece with a beautiful melodic line, again, with each couplet the orchestration and presentation grow, until a piece that started as a introverted prayer for Anna (accompanied by solo harp) becomes a solemn hymn.
5. 2:57 - 4:39. "Ahi, padre!", second tempo di mezzo. The hymn stops abruptly at the sounds of drums. Calbo and Erisso enter with brandished swords. The Muslims have entered the city. Anna's delight at seeing her father quickly turns to grief, as he prepares again to leave her.
6. 4:39 - to the end. "Figlia... mi lascia", duettino for Anna and Erisso. As in the terzettino, the piece begins almost as a separate ensemble. The duettino follows closely the classical opening statements structure to paint a picture of the struggle between father and daughter: the former wants to return to the battle and is still shocked by the news of the false Uberto; the latter hopelessly wants him to stay. Again the piece ends with an orchestral preparation for the coming andante section.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Rossini
• coloratura
• belcanto
• classical

[prince2000ful]

@nickbigd 

[birkansa]

Maometto II is an opera in two acts by Gioachino Rossini, to an Italian libretto by Cesare della Valle, based on his earlier play Anna Erizo. The title character, Maometto II, is based on Sultan Mehmed II.

[nickbigd]

"Giusto ciel, in tal periglio" has always been one of my favorite arias June Anderson has sung. This entire recording is fantastic.