Description
Rossini: Il Turco In Italia - Maria Callas, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, Nicolai Gedda, Franco Calabrese, Chorus And Orchestra Of The Teatro Alla Scala, Milan, Gianandrea Gavazzeni / EMI Classics 2x Audio CD, Box Set 2006 /
UPC 094635866223
Il turco in Italia (English: The Turk in Italy) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini. The Italian-language libretto was written by Felice Romani. It was a re-working of a libretto by Caterino Mazzolà set as an opera (with the same title) by the German composer Franz Seydelmann in 1788.
An opera buffa, it was influenced by Mozart's Così fan tutte, which was performed at the same theatre shortly before Rossini's work. The strangely harmonized overture, though infrequently recorded, is one of the best examples of Rossini's characteristic style. An unusually long introduction displays an extended, melancholy horn solo with full orchestral accompaniment, before giving way to a lively, purely comic main theme.
| Label: | EMI Classics – 094635866223 |
|---|---|
| Format: |
2 x CD, Album, Box Set
|
| Country: | Europe |
| Released: |
2006 |
| Genre: | Classical |
| Style: | Romantic, Opera |
Tracklist:
| Il Turco In Italia (The Turk In Italy), Opera | |||
| 1.1 | Sinfonia | 8:44 | |
|
Atto Primo |
|||
| 1.2 | Nostra Patria | 2:20 | |
| 1.3 | Ho Da Fare Un Dramma Buffo | 3:02 | |
| 1.4 | Ah! Se Di Questi Zingari Ll'Arrivo | 0:46 | |
| 1.5 | Vado In Tracci Di Una Zingara | 2:01 | |
| 1.6 | Chi Vuol Farsi Astrologar? | 1:42 | |
| 1.7 | Ah, Mia Moglie, San Chi Sono | 1:12 | |
| 1.8 | Non Si Da Follia Maggiore | 3:37 | |
| 1.9 | Voga, Voga, A Terra, A Terra | 1:45 | |
| 1.10 | Bella Italia, Alfin Ti Miro | 2:39 | |
| 1.11 | Serva... Servo... | 3:36 | |
| 1.12 | Amici ... Soccorretemi | 0:54 | |
| 1.13 | Un Marito Scimunito | 5:27 | |
| 1.14 | Ola Tosto Il Caffe | 1:39 | |
| 1.15 | Siete Turchi, Non Vi Credo | 3:15 | |
| 1.16 | Io Stupisco, Mi Sorprende | 2:50 | |
| 1.17 | Come! Si Grave Scorno Soffrir Potete In Pace? | 3:14 | |
| 1.18 | Un Vecchio Far Non Puo Maggior Follia | 2:24 | |
| 1.19 | Per Piacere Alla Signora | 2:30 | |
| 1:20 | No, Mia Vita, Mio Tesoro | 3:32 | |
| 1.21 | Gran Meraviglie | 1:20 | |
| 1.22 | Per La Fuga E Tutto Lesto | 4:31 | |
| 1.23 | Perche Mai Se Son Tradito | 2:34 | |
| 1.24 | Evviva D'amore Il Foco Vitale | 0:54 | |
| 1.25 | Chi Servir No Brama Amor S'Allontani | 1:58 | |
| 1.26 | Qui Mia Moglie Ha Da Venire | 0:56 | |
| 1.27 | Ah! Che Il Cor Non M'Ingannava | 2:45 | |
| 1.28 | Vada Via, Si Guardi Bene Di Cercar L'Amante Mio |
4:47 | |
|
Atto Secondo |
|||
| 2.1 | A Proposito, Amico | 1:18 | |
| 2.2 | D'Un Bell'Uso Di Turchia | 3:17 | |
| 2.3 | Se Fiorilla Di Vender Bramate | 3:24 | |
| 2.4 | Non V'e Piacer Perfetto Se Nol Procura Amor | 2:17 | |
| 2.5 | Che Turca Impertinente! | 2:28 | |
| 2.6 | Credete Alla Femmine Che Dicon D'Amarvi! | 1:52 | |
| 2.7 | In Italia Certamante Non Si Fa L'Amor Cosi | 3:15 | |
| 2.8 | Fermate ... Cosa C'e | 1:24 | |
| 2.9 | E Selim Non Si Vede! | 2:13 | |
| 2.10 | Oh! Guardate Che Accidente! | 3:20 | |
| 2.11 | Dunque Seguitemi | 1:24 | |
| 2.12 | Questo Vecchio Maledetto | 2:43 | |
| 2.13 | Si Mi E Forza Partir | 1:18 | |
| 2.14 | Son La Vite Sul Campo Appassita | 2:26 | |
| 2.15 | Rida A Voi Sereno Il Cielo | 2:11 | |
| 2.16 | Restate Contenti | 0:54 |
- Baritone Vocals – Mariano Stabile
- Bass Vocals – Franco Calabrese, Nicola Rossi-Lemeni
- Chorus Master – Vittore Veneziani
- Composed By – Gioacchino Rossini
- Conductor – Gianandrea Gavazzeni
- Engineer – Francis Dillnutt
- Libretto By – Felice Romani
- Mezzo-soprano Vocals – Jolanda Gardino
- Orchestra – Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala
- Producer – Walter Jellinek, Walter Legge
- Remastered By – Simon Gibson
- Soprano Vocals – Maria Callas
- Tenor Vocals – Nicolai Gedda, Piero De Palma
Synopsis
- Time: 18th Century
- Place: In and around Naples
Act 1
By the sea shore near Naples
The poet Prosdocimo (baritone) is searching for a plot for a drama buffo. He meets a band of Gypsies, including the beautiful but unhappy Zaida (mezzo-soprano) and her confidant Albazar (tenor). Perhaps the Gypsies can provide some ideas? Prosdocimo's friend, the obstinate and sometimes foolish Geronio (bass), is looking for a fortune teller to advise him on his marital problems, but the Gypsies tease him. Zaida tells Prosdocimo that she is from a Turkish harem. She and her master, Prince Selim, were in love, but jealous rivals accused her of infidelity and she had to flee for her life, accompanied by Albazar. Nevertheless, she still loves only one man and that man is Selim. Prosdocimo knows that a Turkish prince will shortly be arriving in Italy. Perhaps he can help? Geronio's capricious young wife Fiorilla (soprano) enters singing (in contrast to Zaida) of the joys of free and unfettered love. A Turkish ship arrives and the prince disembarks. It is Selim (bass) himself. Fiorilla is immediately attracted to the handsome Turk, and a romance rapidly develops. Narciso (tenor) appears in her pursuit. He is an ineffectual admirer of Fiorilla posing as a friend of her husband. Geronio follows, horrified to learn that Fiorilla is taking the Turk home to drink his coffee!
Geronio's house
Fiorilla and Selim are flirting. Geronio enters timidly and Selim is initially impressed by his unexpected meekness, however Narciso noisily scolds Geronio. The domestic menage irritates Selim and he leaves after quietly arranging to meet Fiorilla again by his ship. Geronio tells Fiorilla he will not allow any more Turks - or Italians - in his house. She sweetly undermines his complaints, and then, when he softens, threatens to punish him by enjoying herself even more wildly.
The sea shore at night
Selim is waiting for Fiorilla. Instead he meets Zaida. The former lovers are shocked and delighted, and declare once more their mutual love. Narciso re-appears, followed by Fiorilla in disguise, with Geronio in pursuit. Selim confuses the veiled Fiorilla with Zaida and the two women come suddenly face to face. Fiorilla accuses Selim of betrayal. Zaida confronts Fiorilla. Geronio tells his wife to go home. There is a stormy finale.
Act 2
At an inn
Selim approaches Geronio amicably, offering to buy Fiorilla. That way Geronio can be rid of his problems and also make some money. Geronio refuses. Selim vows to steal her instead. After they leave, Fiorilla and a group of her friends appear, followed by Zaida. Fiorilla has set up a meeting between them and Selim, so that the Turk will be forced to decide between the two women. In the event he is indecisive, not wishing to lose either of them. Zaida leaves in disgust. Selim and Fiorilla quarrel but are eventually reconciled. As the poet tells Geronio, there is going to be a party. Fiorilla will be there to meet Selim, who will be masked. Geronio should also go - disguised as a Turk! Narciso overhears this, and decides to take advantage of the situation to take Fiorilla himself, in revenge for her former indifference. Geronio laments his destiny, that he should have such a terrible, crazy wife. Albazar passes by holding a costume - for Zaida!
A ballroom with masqueraders and dancers
Fiorilla mistakes Narciso for Selim and Narciso leads her away. Meanwhile, Selim enters with Zaida, under the impression that she is Fiorilla. Geronio is in utter despair at finding two couples and two Fiorillas! Narciso and Selim both entreat their partners to leave with them. Confused and angry, Geronio attempts to stop both couples, but they eventually escape.
Back at the inn
Prosdocimo meets Geronio. They now know that Selim was with Zaida and guess that Fiorilla was with Narciso. Albazar confirms that Selim will definitely stay with Zaida. Prosdocimo advises Geronio to have his revenge on Fiorilla by pretending to divorce her and threatening to send her back to her family.
Having discovered Narciso's deception, Fiorilla tries to find Selim, but he has already left with Zaida. She returns home only to find the divorce letter, and her belongings being removed from the house. She is devastated by shame, and promptly deserted by her friends.
The beach
Selim and Zaida are about to set sail for Turkey, while Fiorilla is looking for a boat to take her back to her home town. Geronio finds and forgives her. They are affectionately reconciled. Both couples are now reunited and Prosdocimo is delighted with his happy ending.
