Vaccaj: Giulietta e Romeo

Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala, Quatrini, Sesto

57832

Nicola Vaccaj belonged to the Neapolitan School. He was a pupil of Paisiello and a contemporary of Rossini, whose fame somewhat obscured his own. But he was well enough known and appreciated during his day that an extract from the last Act of his Giulietta e Romeo was chosen as a substitute for the same aria in Bellini’s I Capuleti e I Montecchi for an 1832 performance. This arrangement remained common practice until the end of the 19th century. • It’s hard to believe, therefore, that Vaccaj’s most notable success has been neglected for such a long time, since it is “an opera that could easily hold its own among the better-known works in the bel canto canon. It has a taut plot, with a strong libretto written by Romani, and is full of well-constructed ensemble pieces.” (Operawire) • With a traditional 16th-century setting, director Cecilia Ligorio chooses to convey a sense of doom and tragedy which imbues the entire work, from the choice of costumes and settings to the stage lighting. “It really was a well-paced and visually pleasing production that successfully captured the love and hatred which drives the narrative forward.” (Operawire)

Blu-ray

1.04.2019

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