Bellini I Capuleti e i Montecchi

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Bellini I Capuleti e i Montecchi Program Notes

Bellini  is  one  of  the  greatest  composers  in  the  bel  canto  operatic  style  (literally,  beautiful  singing),  alongside  Donizetti  and  Rossini.    Bellini’s  Norma,  I  Puritani,  La  Sonnambula  and  the  present  I  Capuleti  e  i  Montecchi  remain  frequently  performed.    With  long  melodic  lines  and  dramatic  expressivity,  Bellini’s  arias  were  favorites  of  such  stars  as  Maria  Callas,  Renata  Tebaldi,  Joan  Sutherland,  Enrico  Caruso  and  Luciano  Pavarotti.  Bellinis  I  Capuleti  e  i  Montecchi  is  not  Shakespeare’s  Romeo  &  Juliet.  The  Italian  tale  of  star-crossed  lovers  was  already  well  travelled  when  adopted  by  Bellinis  librettist,  Felice  Romani.    Here,  Giuletta  Capuleti’s  father  Capellio,  and  Giulettas  secret  lover,  Romeo  Montecchi,  lead  two  warring  political  groups.  A  disguised  Romeo  visits  to  try  to  defuse  the  conflict,  arriving  in  the  midst  of  preparations  for  the  nuptials  of  Guiletta  to  the  Capulet  ally,  Tebaldo.  The  attempt  goes  badly  and  further  conflict  seems  inevitable.  The  second  scene  introduces  Guiletta,  who,  in  this  recitativo  and  aria,  sings  of  Romeos  absence,  and  gloom  toward  the  coming  wedding.

Categories: Program Notes