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Verismo and Wagnerianism

Verismo composers were mainly opera composers; the new generation of composers was different, more eclectic. Franco Alfano’s two symphonies, among the most relevant Italian compositions of the first half of the 20th century as well as Zandonai’s remarkable collection of orchestral and chamber works show that their non-operatic compositions weren’t certainly occasional. Franco Alfano, as most knows, composed the music for the last 2 scenes of Turandot, Puccini’s last opera left unfinished after the composer’s death in 1924. Puccini had left sketches for the end of the opera, along with instructions to Riccardo Zandonai to finish it, yet, following Puccini’s son objections, to work on the draft and finish the opera, was instead chosen Franco Alfano. Both Alfano and Zandonai can be defined as “operatic symphonists” : they embodied a new way to define the relationship between music and drama. The drama was no longer described by the music; it was precisely the opposite: the drama provided the frame to the music. This process can be seen at its most in Zandonai’s Francesca where entire acts can be defined as symphonic poems. Since 1890 Wagner’s scores had spread widely in Italy. The scale and magnificence of the composer’s major works led […]

July

From Jesi to Palermo | On the traces of Frederick II of Swabia

Frederick II was one of the most fascinating figure in medieval history. His power was immense: King of Sicily and Jerusalem, Emperor of the Romans, King of Italy and Germany. His kingdom extended from the northern sea to Sicily and, on the east, to Israel and Lebanon.

January

I Pagliacci ¦ Leoncavallo’s Calabria

Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci is a opera of tremendous energy and impetus, up to the final scene, one of the most gripping of Italian opera. The aria”Vesti la giubba” “put on your costume” is one of the best-renowned tenor arias of the whole repertoire. It is in fact both an expressive and a vocal test for any lyric tenor.

December

The transition between 18th and 19th century in Opera

Opera, until then the favourite entertainment of aristocracy and educated classes, was going to change radically as a consequence of the French revolution. In the three decades of the rise and fall of Napoleon, opera social function changed completely and irrevocably.

Where Vincenzo Bellini meets the Coldplay | Palazzo Biscari in Sicily

Vincenzo Bellini and the Prince of Biscari, two great Sicilians If a great composer such as Vincenzo Bellini was born…

Category Archives: About

Verismo and Wagnerianism

From Jesi to Palermo | On the traces of Frederick II of Swabia

I Pagliacci ¦ Leoncavallo’s Calabria

The transition between 18th and 19th century in Opera

Where Vincenzo Bellini meets the Coldplay | Palazzo Biscari in Sicily

L’Ulisse Errante

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