“MARIELLA DEVIA:
LA MORTE DI DIDONE E ARIE DI BAULE
” (The Death of Dido and "Suitcase arias") BONGIOVANNI GB 2524-2
Live Concert from the Rossini Opera Festival 1966 recorded on August 22, 1996,
Pesaro, Italy with the Orchestra of the Teatro Communale di Bologna and Coro da
camera di Praga, conducted by Guiliano Carella.
ROSSINI Il Turco in Italia:
"Squallida veste, e bruna"
ROSSINI Adelaide di Borgogna:
"Cingi la benda candida"
MARC'ANTONIO PORTOGALLO La Morte di Semiramide:
"Son regina, son guerriera"
ROSSINI
La Morte di Didone”
(lyric scene for soprano, chorus and orchestra)
Mariella Devia is a prodigiously talented soprano who has won fame outside of
her native Italy. For some reason she has been overlooked by the major
recording companies. Bongiovanni is to be congratulated for making her
artistry available to the opera-loving public.
Mme. Devia’s careful use of chest voice is effective; the mid-voice is
well-rounded, warm and ripe; the top is clear, secure and full without any hint
of shrillness, reaching to a clear, full-throated F above High C. She
negotiates the most difficult of coloratura passages with astonishing
brilliance and ease. She seems to have endless reserves of power based no
doubt on her impeccable breath control. She skillfully fulfills the technical
requirements of this incredibly demanding music at the same time coloring the
music with a palette of vocal hues reminiscent of the finest of the Italian
expressive sopranos.
"Cingi la benda candida"
is a remarkable example of the soprano’s
bel canto
style and technique. The fiortura is dazzling. She can spin her voice
movingly, enduing the
cantabile
passages with a sweet tenderness.
"Squallida veste, e bruna"
(an aria that displays the serious side of Fiorella’s character) is sung
with a despondent poignancy. Mme. Devia also provides the necessary regal
venom for
"Son regina, son guerriera,"
a favorite “suitcase” aria of the legendary nineteenth century
Italian soprano Angelica Catalani.
Mariella Devia summons up astonishing reserves of vocal power for the finale of
this program:
"La Morte di Didone"
(performance of which here is actually the first world recording, and not as
London-Decca states on their recording with Mme. Devia and Maestro Riccardo
Chailly). Mme. Devia not only sings the
scena lyrica
with the superb vocal virtuosity and musical sensitivity displayed in the
other arias, but she inflects her voice with a demonic force that is riveting.
Conductor Giuliana Carella leads the Orchestra of the Teatro Communale di
Bolgona with impeccable verve and style, proving himself to be an expert of the
sometimes elusive Rossinian style. The Coro de camera di Praga capably
supports the soloist. The sound is good; the balance between soloist,
orchestra and chorus is aptly handled.
Texts and translations of the arias are included with an excellent article
relating to Madame Devia's career and art.
“Mariella Devia: La Morte di Didone e Arie di Baule"
(BONGIOVANNI GB 2524-2), can be ordered from Bongiovanni at
http://bongiovanni70.com/
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