tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30138064152111758722024-03-14T01:13:40.678-07:00The Mascagni.org BlogThis blog is about everything related to Pietro Mascagni, the famous opera composer. You will find more information about Pietro Mascagni on the Mascagni.org web site.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-65011241220265034052009-02-22T19:13:00.000-08:002009-02-22T20:12:04.177-08:00<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SaITADjMNMI/AAAAAAAAAQc/hs0fPdvVdIc/s1600-h/nantes_news4_740.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 104px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SaITADjMNMI/AAAAAAAAAQc/hs0fPdvVdIc/s400/nantes_news4_740.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305824202669700290" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.grattacielo.org/">Teatro Grattacielo</a> Presents the U.S. Première of Pietro Mascagni's 1921 Opera of the French Revolution<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">IL PICCOLO MARAT</span><br /></div><br /><a style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);" href="http://www.grattacielo.org/">Teatro Grattacielo</a> will celebrate its 15th Anniversary with the North American Première of Pietro Mascagni’s dramatic opera, <span style="font-style: italic;">Il Piccolo Marat</span> at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center</span> on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Monday, April 13, 2009</span>, conducted by Teatro Grattacielo’s Music Director <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">David Wroe</span>.<br /><br />The performance will also feature the participation of <span style="font-weight: bold;">over 100 choristers</span>, combining members of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cantori New York Chorus</span> and the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Long Island University Chorus</span>, <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Mark Shapiro</span>, Director, with the Teatro Grattacielo Orchestra.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tickets are all on the Orchestra Level: $75 - $50 - $25 - $15</span><br />available at the Box Office or through CenterCharge at 212-721-6500<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lincolncenter.org/show_events_list.asp?eventcode=20418">Tickets may also be purchased from Lincoln Center here, online.</a><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SaIRM9QUeJI/AAAAAAAAAP8/_OcF868Bjkc/s1600-h/meat_marat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 185px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SaIRM9QUeJI/AAAAAAAAAP8/_OcF868Bjkc/s320/meat_marat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305822225294981266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%; display: block; clear: both;" >Scene from Act One of the 1921 premiere of the opera</span><br /></div><br />The large cast includes tenor <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Arnold Rawls</span>, Turkish bass <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Burak Bilgili</span>, soprano <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Paula Delligatti</span> and baritone <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Andrew Oakden</span>. <a href="http://www.grattacielo.org/marat.htm">See more about the cast here.</a> The story concerns a young man who rescues his sweetheart and his mother from the clutches of a petty revolutionary who is determined to take revenge on aristocrats. The opera features massive choral forces, dramatic scenes of great beauty, and tender moments of love that are the rival of any Verismo opera. This is a work that deserves to be heard, and will be the only chance to hear it in the New York area, performed by a full symphonic orchestra and world-class singers, conducted by a maestro in full command of these revolutionary resources.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SaIRsLLoc4I/AAAAAAAAAQE/ycZ35p63v3g/s1600-h/mascagni_1921.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 173px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SaIRsLLoc4I/AAAAAAAAAQE/ycZ35p63v3g/s320/mascagni_1921.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305822761609360258" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%; display: block; clear: both;" >Pietro Mascagni around the time of "Il Piccolo Marat"</span></div><br />Considered by many critics to be Mascagni’s greatest achievement, <span style="font-style: italic;">Il Piccolo Marat</span> was a huge success at its Rome premiere in 1921, receiving over 50 curtain calls. The opera went on to be produced throughout Italy, and in Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Alexandria, Barcelona, Paris and at La Scala. <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/works/sounds/8">You can hear historic recordings here, from 1920's performances of <span style="font-style: italic;">Il Piccolo Marat</span>.</a><br /><br />Written during - and about - a period of great anxiety, destruction, and change, not unlike our own recent times, Il Piccolo Marat’s message is the triumph of hope over despair, of love over hatred, and of good over evil. It confirms the possibility of transformation in spite of the whirlwinds that might surround us.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.grattacielo.org/marat.htm">Learn more about the opera at the Teatro Grattacielo website.</a><br /><br />Teatro Grattacielo is extremely pleased and honored to present this great masterpiece to New York in its long-overdue North American Première.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">Teatro Grattacielo</span>: "Maybe you haven't heard your favorite opera yet!"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">2 Riverside Drive, 2C | New York, NY 10023 | 212-595-7127 | email: verismo@grattacielo.org</span><br /></div>Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-16877939586130958162008-12-07T10:12:00.000-08:002008-12-07T10:17:35.250-08:00Today December 7 is Mascagni's Birthday<a href="http://www.mascagni.org/">Pietro Mascagni</a> was born in Livorno, Italy on this day (December 7) in 1863. This is as good an occasion as any to play some of his music! As for me, I am playing <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/recordings/508707">the grand duet from <span style="font-style: italic;">Il piccolo Marat</span></a> with Mafalda de Voltri and Hipolito Lázaro.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-73540676583226657972008-11-02T11:05:00.000-08:002008-11-16T12:52:05.748-08:00Photo of Mascagni Rehearsing Aida<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SQ5qMT2pSeI/AAAAAAAAAOU/TIGmfPnS2rE/s1600-h/mascagni-aida.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SQ5qMT2pSeI/AAAAAAAAAOU/TIGmfPnS2rE/s400/mascagni-aida.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264261774163134946" border="0" /></a>This fascinating photo recently turned up at an eBay auction. It was advertised as a photo of Mascagni rehearsing <span style="font-style: italic;">Cavalleria rusticana</span>, but obviously the sets are those of <span style="font-style: italic;">Aida</span>, and if you look carefully you can see the conductor score for <span style="font-style: italic;">Aida</span> right behind Mascagni!<br /><br />On the podium, you can read "Fot. Willinger Wien". This inscription is designed to look like something engraved on the podium, but it was likely added by the photographer. This would point to a performance of <span style="font-style: italic;">Aida</span> in Vienna. As for the date, I would guess that this took place during the 1930s given Mascagni's looks. It should be possible to find a more precise date by looking up when Mascagni conducted Aida in Vienna.<br /><br />Thanks to the seller, James Camner, who was kind enough to provide me with a good scan of this photo.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> Roger points out that this looks like an outdoor performance, and that Mascagni conducted Aida in Vienna in August 1924, among other dates. So that photo could very well be from August 1924.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> John found <a href="http://www.mptv.net/main/main_elements/willingerbio.html">this mini-biography about a photographer called Laszlo Willinger</a> who had a studio in Vienna in the 1930s.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-91776335692282060812008-10-19T11:48:00.000-07:002008-10-19T12:06:48.241-07:00Pianist Marco Sollini Playing Today in Cherry Hill, North Carolina<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SPuBXmR068I/AAAAAAAAANU/2SeIJ2fqElU/s1600-h/sollini.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SPuBXmR068I/AAAAAAAAANU/2SeIJ2fqElU/s400/sollini.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258939232297479106" border="0" /></a>Pianist Marco Sollini is playing today at the Cherry Hill Plantation in North Carolina. Sollini "oversaw the publication by Boccaccini and Spada of the piano music of Puccini, Mascagni, Giordano, Leoncavallo, and Bellini as well as chamber music by Rossini and Mascagni" (as reported in the article linked below).<br /><br />Relevant Mascagni.org resources:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.mascagni.org/framed-images/506153">L'opera completa per pianoforte</a></li><li><a href="http://www.mascagni.org/recordings/500028">Puccini - Giordano - Mascagni: piano music</a></li></ul>References:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.vancnews.com/articles/2008/10/16/warrenton/news/news44.txt">Sollini to perform at Cherry Hill concert</a></li><li><a href="http://www.marcosollini.it/sito/">Marco Sollini web site</a><br /></li></ul>Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-21052214155560614802008-10-12T12:31:00.000-07:002008-12-02T12:59:21.927-08:00Cavalleria Rusticana in Venice in December 2009 (corrected)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SPKuExMttHI/AAAAAAAAANM/ZlAHbgdO6JU/s1600-h/teatrofenice.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SPKuExMttHI/AAAAAAAAANM/ZlAHbgdO6JU/s400/teatrofenice.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5256455112044164210" border="0" /></a>The illustrious Venice opera house, <span style="font-style: italic;">Teatro La Fenice</span>, has announced performances of Mascagni's <span style="font-style: italic;">Cavalleria rusticana</span> on the following dates:<br /><ul><li>Thursday, December 11, 2009 at 7 PM<br /></li><li>Saturday, December 13, 2009 at 3:30 PM<br /></li><li>Tuesday, December 16, 2009 at 7 PM</li><li>Thursday December 18, 2009 at 7 PM</li><li>Saturday, December 20, 2009 at 3:30 PM</li></ul>What's interesting is that unlike the usual pairing with Leoncavallo's <span style="font-style: italic;">Pagliacci</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Cavalleria rusticana</span> will be performed alongside <span class="titoli01">Leoš Janáček's<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span class="titoli01"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Šárka</span>.</span><br /><br />The cast will be as follows:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conductor:</span> Eliahu Inbal </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Santuzza:</span> Anna Smirnova </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Turiddu:</span> Walter Fraccaro </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Orchestra and chorus:</span> Teatro La Fenice </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chorus master:</span> Claudio Marino Moretti </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mise en scène:</span> Ermanno Olmi </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sets:</span> Arnaldo Pomodoro </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Costumes: </span>Maurizio Millenotti </li></ul>References:<br /><ul><li><span class="titoli01"> <a href="http://www.teatrolafenice.it/dettaglio_spettacolo.php?IDSpettacolo=279">Šárka di Leoš Janáček e Cavalleria rusticana di Pietro Mascagni </a></span></li><li><a href="http://www.teatrolafenice.it/">Teatro La Fenice</a></li><li><a href="http://www.venezia.net/blog-eventi/1270/teatro-la-fenice-stagione-2008-2009-lirica-danza-sinfonica-progetti-speciali-collaborazioni/">Teatro La Fenice - Stagione 2008-2009, Lirica, Danza, Sinfonica, Progetti speciali, Collaborazioni</a></li></ul><span style="font-style: italic;">Update: This blog initially announced that the performances would take place in December 2008. They will instead take place in December 2009.</span>Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-52195285061368990362008-10-05T14:10:00.000-07:002008-10-05T14:39:45.208-07:00Amica in Rome in the Coming Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SOkuebG86eI/AAAAAAAAAKU/_2K0MBtk2dM/s1600-h/rome-opera.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SOkuebG86eI/AAAAAAAAAKU/_2K0MBtk2dM/s400/rome-opera.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253781540512262626" border="0" /></a>Six performances of Mascagni's <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/works/amica"><span style="font-style: italic;">Amica</span></a> will take place in the coming days in Rome: Tuesday 7, Wednesday 8, Thursday 9 and Friday 10 at 8:30 PM, Saturday 11 at 6 PM, and Sunday October 12 at 5 PM.<br /><br />Contrary to what was thought earlier, the work will be given in the original French with Italian supertitles, which is excellent news as Mascagni composed the music directly to the French libretto by Choudens. Only later was the libretto translated to Italian, in a translation which I think is quite coarse.<br /><br />The last time the opera was performed in Rome was on May 13, 1905, in the Italian version, conducted by Mascagni himself, as he took the habit of conducting his own works early in the career.<br /><br />Hisorically, <span style="font-style: italic;">Amica</span> is one of the least performed Mascagni operas, especially in French. It is therefore encouraging to see renewed interest in this extremely interesting work (with "echoes of Wagner, Mahler and Ravel" according to Antonino Fogliani), after the performances in French at Martina Franca in 2007. The upcoming performances in the beautiful setting of the Rome opera house promise higher quality and will hopefully do justice to the work.<br /><br />The cast will be as follows:<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conductor:</span> Antonino Fogliani</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amica:</span> Amarilli Nizza / Patrizia Orciani</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Giorgio:</span> Enrique Ferrer / Maurizio Comencini</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rinaldo:</span> Alberto Mastromarino / Angelo Veccia</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Padron Camoine:</span> Marcello Lippi</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Maddalena:</span> Lucia Mastromarino</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Orchestra and chorus</span> of the Rome opera</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chorus master:</span> Andrea Giorgi</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mise en scène:</span> Jean Louis Grinda</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sets:</span> Rudy Sabounghi</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Teresa Acone:</span> costumes</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Laurent Castaingt:</span> lights</li></ul>References:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.nonsolocinema.com/Amica_12906.html">"Amica" - A Roma l'opera di Mascagni</a></li><li><a href="http://www.nonsolocinema.com/Amica_12886.html">"Amica" - Mascagni a Roma</a></li></ul>These performances are co-produced with Opéra di Montecarlo and Teatro Carlo Goldoni of Livorno.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-30398055477479737582008-09-29T22:37:00.000-07:002008-09-29T22:53:49.373-07:00Chocolat Guérin-Boutron Card<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SOG78dLFFoI/AAAAAAAAAKM/NcS642EUrMg/s1600-h/Chocolat+Guerin-Boutron.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SOG78dLFFoI/AAAAAAAAAKM/NcS642EUrMg/s400/Chocolat+Guerin-Boutron.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251685287788353154" border="0" /></a>I just got this pretty nice card, which features a scene from <span style="font-style: italic;">Cavalleria rusticana</span>. It bears the number 28, and was part of a series of trading cards distributed with Guérin-Boutron chocolate boxes. I found a reference online to a series of 78 cards dedicated to music composers, and this one was probably part of that set.<br /><br />Compare with <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/pictures/tobaccocards">these other cards</a>, especially <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/framed-images/727">this one</a> distributed with Suchard cacao.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-11139587492974699922008-09-18T21:29:00.000-07:002008-09-18T21:39:34.818-07:00L'amico Fritz at the Berlin Opera<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SNMq8XYg25I/AAAAAAAAAKE/t7yna0E_R3s/s1600-h/Alberto_Veronesi.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SNMq8XYg25I/AAAAAAAAAKE/t7yna0E_R3s/s400/Alberto_Veronesi.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247585207374109586" /></a>I just <a href="http://www.adnkronos.com/Prontoitalia/Notiziario/?id=1.0.2495562274">found out</a> that conductor Alberto Veronesi will conduct <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">L'amico Fritz</span> at the <a href="http://www.deutscheoperberlin.de/">Berlin Opera</a> on September 20 and 22, in concert form. The most interesting part is that the protagonists will be sung by Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu, who already performed <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">L'amico Fritz</span> at least once in Monte Carlo in 1999 already.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-19664426347341908552008-06-26T09:56:00.000-07:002008-12-08T15:04:46.584-08:00Review of Zanetto CD at Audiophile Audition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SGPK9yNM5MI/AAAAAAAAAJE/D72ztv_wqdg/s1600-h/zanetto-elysium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SGPK9yNM5MI/AAAAAAAAAJE/D72ztv_wqdg/s400/zanetto-elysium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216235956223141058" border="0" /></a>Steven Ritter has written a <a href="http://www.audaud.com/article.php?ArticleID=4386">new review of the recently published <span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span> recording</a> (with Jennifer Larmore, conducted by Peter Tiboris) at Audiophile Audition. Overall the reviewer loves the opera and he writes of Larmore:<br /><blockquote>"I have a great deal of trouble imaging the title role sung better than Larmore does here."</blockquote>Indeed I think that Larmore is the best part of this recording. It is a shame that Eilana Lappalainen, as Sylvia, was not up to the challenge.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-77056532470337521972008-06-08T06:28:00.000-07:002008-12-08T15:04:46.761-08:00More Details on Upcoming Amica in rome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SEve-fSqXWI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Sg53Uud5_V4/s1600-h/amica-rome-2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SEve-fSqXWI/AAAAAAAAAI8/Sg53Uud5_V4/s400/amica-rome-2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209502559117139298" border="0" /></a>The Rome Opera now has <a href="http://www.operaroma.it/stagione/cartellone_2008/amica">all the information</a> about the August 2008 performances of <span style="font-style: italic;">Amica</span>. The cast is as follows:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amica:</span> Amarilli Nizza / Patrizia Orciani<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rinaldo:</span> Piero Giugliacci / Claudio Di Segni<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Giorgio:</span> Alberto Mastromarino / Angelo Veccia<br />Orchestra and chorus of Rome Teatro dell'Opera<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Conductor: </span>Antonino Fogliani<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chorus master:</span> Andrea Giorgi<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Staging:</span> Jean Louis Grinda<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sets:</span> Rudy Sabounghi<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Costumes:</span> Teresa Acone</blockquote>Performances:<br /><blockquote>Tuesday, 7 October 2008 at 20.30<br />Wednesday, 8 October at 20.30<br />Thursday, 9 October at 20.30<br />Friday, 10 October at 20.30<br />Saturday, 11 October at 18.00<br />Sunday, 12 October at 17.00</blockquote>This will be a new production and the opera will be performed in Italian, instead of the original and better French.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-82041092909990172572008-05-31T12:18:00.000-07:002008-06-07T05:01:46.064-07:00Mascagni Course in Sydney this OctoberI recently got the following from Murray Dahm in Sydney:<br /><blockquote>"I thought you would like to know that I will be teaching a course on the operas of Mascagni in Sydney, Australia starting this October. It will run for 7 two hour sessions over seven weeks and examine all the operas, <span style="font-style: italic;">Si</span>, and the orchestral, song and minor works that I have located. The courses I run are for the WEA (Workers Education Association) and generally have 40 students (mostly retirees) per course" </blockquote>If anybody around Sydney has any interest, please contact me and I will put you in touch with Murray.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-69508359170604888182008-05-31T09:59:00.000-07:002008-12-08T15:04:46.838-08:00A Rare Photo of Mascagni at the Piano<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SEFO5yJXYdI/AAAAAAAAAI0/nYASSoxAJGA/s1600-h/mascagni-piano-caption.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/SEFO5yJXYdI/AAAAAAAAAI0/nYASSoxAJGA/s400/mascagni-piano-caption.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206529398837567954" border="0" /></a>Here is a rare picture of Mascagni at the piano which I recently acquired. The handwritten text on the back of the picture says that it was taken in Rome by "Ettore Patrini, editor & [...]" (last name and function are hard to read). A number on the back could read "17", for 1917. To be broad, I think that the picture was taken between 1900 and 1920, but I have trouble pinpointing an exact year.<br /><br />On the full-size picture, you can see that Mascagni is smoking a little cigar, as is typical. The quality of the picture doesn't allow seeing what is on the score.<br /><br />For more photos of Mascagni, see <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/pictures/piano">Mascagni at the Piano</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Update:</span> Roger pointed out to me that this is the same piano and location as in <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/framed-images/503874/6">this photo</a>. If the information is correct and this was in fact taken during <span style="font-style: italic;">Isabeau</span>'s composition, or even at Illica's villa in Castell'Arquato, then it is likely that the two photos were taken not far apart. The composition of Isabeau started in late 1908, and the opera premiered in 1911, which gives us a better range. If it was in Castell'Arquato, then it was likely during June 1910.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-78032127459375425402008-03-22T12:01:00.000-07:002008-12-08T15:04:47.032-08:00New CD of Zanetto on Elysium Recordings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/R-VbuZ9Pj0I/AAAAAAAAAHc/Cj3z70qxUcU/s1600-h/zanetto-elysium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/R-VbuZ9Pj0I/AAAAAAAAAHc/Cj3z70qxUcU/s400/zanetto-elysium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180647799159492418" border="0" /></a>A new CD of <span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span> on <a href="http://www.midamerica-music.com/elysium.htm">Elysium Recordings</a> is now available.<br /><span style=";font-family:verdana,geneva,arial,sans serif;font-size:85%;" ><b> </b></span><blockquote><span style=";font-family:verdana,geneva,arial,sans serif;font-size:85%;" ><b>Mascagni:</b> <i>Zanetto</i><br /><i>L'amico Fritz</i> — Intermezzo<br /><i>Cavalleria rusticana</i> — Intermezzo<br /><br /><b>Peter Tiboris,</b> conductor<br /><b>Eilana Lappalainen,</b> Soprano (Sylvia)<br /><b>Jennifer Larmore,</b> Mezzo-Soprano (Zanetto)<br />Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic </span></blockquote>Elysium, conductor Peter Tiboris and the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic orchestra had already brought to us a <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/recordings/3181">recording of <span style="font-style: italic;">Silvano</span></a> about ten years ago.<br /><br />After an initial listening, I find the performance quite good, especially Jennifer Larmore's Zanetto. The sound quality is excellent, certainly superior to that of previous recordings of the piece. This allows you to fully enjoy the light and refined orchestration.<br /><br />The CD comes with a few bonuses:<br /><ul><li>An orchestral version of the prelude (which was written for an a cappella chorus), which we had already heard on the <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/recordings/507726">Kicco recording with Denia Mazzola</a><br /></li><li>The intermezzo from <span style="font-style: italic;">L'amico Fritz</span></li><li>The intermezzo from <span style="font-style: italic;">Cavalleria rusticana</span></li></ul>The well-packaged CD comes with a full libretto, biographies, and an essay by John W. Barker, "Mascagni Moods".Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-88809688092628685602008-02-13T19:05:00.000-08:002008-02-13T19:59:07.280-08:00Performance of Zanetto in Faenza, Italy on February 14, 2008Italian web sites seem to often announce performances online at the last minute. A <a href="http://www.amadeusonline.net/calendario.php?ID=3837">single performance of <span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span></a> will take place tomorrow, Thursday February 14, 2008 at 9 PM (21:00) the Teatro Sarti in Faenza, Italy.<br /><br />This is part of an event called "San Valentino al Teatro Sarti " ("Valentine's Day at Teatro Sarti"), which seems to include some music and a buffet. The performance will be done without an orchestra and simply a piano accompaniment. The performers are as follows:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Manuel Mensà:</span> soprano<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ottavia Sisti:</span> soprano<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pietro Mariani:</span> conductor, piano accompaniment<br /><br />Tickets cost EUR 20 and are available online at <a href="http://www.manuelsoprano.com/">http://www.manuelsoprano.com/</a>.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-61972948176445598192008-02-02T14:06:00.000-08:002008-12-08T15:04:47.162-08:00Performances of Amica in Rome in October 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/R6ZuP8GSSaI/AAAAAAAAAG8/pawXRMLcAOk/s1600-h/amica.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/R6ZuP8GSSaI/AAAAAAAAAG8/pawXRMLcAOk/s400/amica.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5162935242936437154" border="0" /></a>A new production of <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.mascagni.org/works/amica">Amica</a> will be given <a href="http://www.operaroma.it/stagione/cartellone_2008/amica">6 performances</a> at the <a href="http://www.operaroma.it/">Teatro del'Opera</a> in Rome from October 7 to October 12, 2008. Antonino Fogliani will conduct two alternating casts.<br /><br />There is currently no indication that the performances will be in the original French, unlike the August 2007 <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/news/#id123">Martina Franca</a> performances, which means that we will most likely get the inferior Italian text.<br /><br />However, the music itself remains beautiful and powerful, and it is important that an opera as rarely performed as <span style="font-style: italic;">Amica</span> be performed in a major opera house.<br /><br />(Original news submitted by Remo Mazzetti)Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-46428218131234608372007-12-10T00:50:00.000-08:002008-01-04T01:45:16.098-08:00December 7 was Mascagni's birthdayFriday, December 7 was Mascagni's birthday: he would have been 144 years old. To celebrate, I am listening to a live performance of <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/works/zanetto"><span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span></a>, a real favorite of mine. This minature opera is a real gold mine of beautiful melodies, and close to musical perfection. One of my favorite parts: Silvia sending Zanetto <span style="font-style: italic;">"Dunque, di là, dove splende l'aurora !"</span> and the sheer melancholy of the musical comment which follows.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-66883694869858279762007-10-28T00:19:00.001-07:002008-01-04T01:46:27.681-08:00Upcoming release of Zanetto on Elysium recordsI just got notice that Elysium Records will release a new CD of <span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span>. Here is the press release:<br /><blockquote><br />October 3, 2007<br /><br />Elysium Records is proud to announce its upcoming release of Mascagni’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Peter Tiboris</span> leads the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmony, with acclaimed soloists <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jennifer Larmore</span> as Zanetto and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Eilana Lappalainen</span> as Sylvia.<br /><br />Last June at Carnegie Hall, Maestro Tiboris conducted the first New York performance of <span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span> since 1902. And this past summer, he presented the opera’s Greek premiere on the island of Syros as part of the Festival of the Aegean.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span> will be released in Spring 2008 and also includes intermezzi from <span style="font-style: italic;">L’amico Fritz</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Cavalleria rusticana</span>.<br /><br />Elysium Records is distributed worldwide by <a href="http://www.qualiton.com/">Qualiton Imports, Inc.</a><br /></blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.mascagni.org/works/zanetto"><span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span></a> is a wonderful little opera, which premiered on March 2, 1896, while Mascagni was the head of the Liceo Musicale G. Rossini in Pesaro. With only two female singers and an opening chorus (which is even omitted in the recent <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/recordings/507726">DVD with Denia Mazzola</a>), it is quite easy to stage and perform.<br /><br />The Italian libretto is an almost direct translation from a French text by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Copp%C3%A9e">François Coppée</a> entitled <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/works/zanetto/passant"><span style="font-style: italic;">Le passant</span></a>. The piece is a conversation between Zanetto, a young troubadour in search of love, and Silvia, an experienced courtisane, taking place during a peaceful evening outside renaissance Florence. Zanetto is unaware of Silvia's complex life, but manages to trouble her enough that she considers keeping him around. She finally realizes that she would only make him unhappy and sends him back on his way to Florence. While there is absolutely no action taking place, just psychological development, the opera develops a fascinating musical atmosphere and has been a favorite of mine for a long time. <span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span> deserves to be performed more often.<br /><br />There are at least <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/works/zanetto/recordings">five recorded versions of <span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span></a> which have been (more or less) available over the years, with various levels of sound and artistic quality. A definitive edition of this wonderful little opera has yet to appear, and I do hope that this version will be a welcome addition to the discography.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-43726266099282786142007-10-28T00:11:00.000-07:002008-01-04T01:45:48.551-08:00Upcoming release of Zanetto on Elysium recordsI got notice that Elysium Records will soon release a CD of Zanetto. Here is the official press release:<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: normal;">October 3, 2007</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Elysium Records is proud to announce its upcoming release of Mascagni’s </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">Zanetto</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Peter Tiboris leads the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmony, with acclaimed soloists Jennifer Larmore as Zanetto and Eilana Lappalainen as Sylvia.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Last June at Carnegie Hall, Maestro Tiboris conducted the first New York performance of Zanetto since 1902. And this past summer, he presented the opera’s Greek premiere on the island of Syros as part of the Festival of the Aegean.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Zanetto</span> will be released in Spring, 2008 and also includes Intermezzi from <span style="font-style: italic;">L’Amico Fritz</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Cavalleria rusticana</span>.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Elysium Records is distributed worldwide by <a href="http://www.qualiton.com/">Qualiton Imports, Inc.</a></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /></blockquote>Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-9803275872896208972007-10-23T23:08:00.000-07:002008-12-08T15:04:47.286-08:00Opening of the Teatro Goldoni season<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/Rx7h0RMCLbI/AAAAAAAAACA/S45bmy6Cc4E/s1600-h/mascagnipiano.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/Rx7h0RMCLbI/AAAAAAAAACA/S45bmy6Cc4E/s320/mascagnipiano.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124781714077527474" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.goldoniteatro.it/index.php">Teatro Goldoni of Livorno</a> (<a href="http://www.mascagni.org/">Mascagni</a>'s hometown) is opening its 2007/2008 season on Thursday, October 25, 2007 at 8:30 PM with an event in the series "Around Mascagni - Towards the Mascagni Festival", an evening entitled "Mascagni's operas and the female character".<br /><br />The evening will propose great scenes from operas by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pietro Mascagni</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">Cavalleria Rusticana</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">I Rantzau</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Guglielmo Ratcliff</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Silvano</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Iris</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Le Maschere</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Isabeau</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Sì</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">Lodoletta</span>, and <span style="font-style: italic;">Nerone</span>.<br /><br />The conductor will be <span style="font-weight: bold;">Matteo Beltrami</span>. Mise en scène, sets and costumes are by <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alessio Pizzech</span>. The performance is a new production of the Teatro Goldoni Foundation of Livorno.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tickets:</span> call 0586 204290<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Information:</span> call 0586 204211 - fax 0586 899920<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Web site:</span> <a href="http://www.goldoniteatro.it/index.php">http://www.goldoniteatro.it/</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Reference:</span> <a href="http://www.saimicadove.it/tempolibero/evento.asp?Id=10942">Saimicadove.it</a>Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3013806415211175872.post-30923183652245814122007-10-21T22:35:00.000-07:002008-12-08T15:04:47.414-08:00A new blog for Mascagni.org<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/Rxw4iBMCLaI/AAAAAAAAABs/dZMEmBnOibE/s1600-h/mascagni.org.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSqG0J8ANmg/Rxw4iBMCLaI/AAAAAAAAABs/dZMEmBnOibE/s320/mascagni.org.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124032633126399394" border="0" /></a>Lately I have realized that I had many updates queued for <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/">Mascagni.org</a> but little time to update the site. One reason for this is that Mascagni.org doesn't yet have a built-in blog engine, even though I have been wanting to install one for a very long time.<br /><br />Spare time being what it is (scarce), I have decided to cut it short and to simply use Blogger as a blog engine. Mascagni.org will simply syndicate the blog entries created with Blogger.<br /><br />This solution I hope will have the benefit of increasing the number of news that make it to Mascagni.org, and add the ability to leave comments (this is 2007 after all). The main drawback is that this blog is hosted under <a href="http://pietromascagni.blogspot.com/">http://pietromascagni.blogspot.com/</a> (the prefix "mascagni" was already taken) and not <a href="http://www.mascagni.org/">http://mascagni.org/</a>, but I hope that this will be a minor inconvenience.Erik Bruchezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16139421434415219182noreply@blogger.com0