The Teatro San Carlo, certainly one of the finest and biggest in Europe was opened in 1737. Two years later, in 1739 French politician and writer Charles de Brosses referred to Naples as “the world capital of music”.
Giovanni Bertati sets The Secret Marriage in Bologna not without a reason: Bologna is historically a wealthy city, hometown for enterprising bourgeois engaged in commerce and industry. The city is famous for its towers and long arcades, for the beautiful well-preserved historic centre, one of the largest in Italy. Well renowned is also Bologna strong culinary tradition.
I Capuleti e i Montecchi is considered by many Bellini’s first masterpiece. It certainly recalls in many ways the great belcanto era, particularly in the way the roles are organized: the mezzo-soprano as male protagonist, the soprano as his lover, the tenor as the hero’s rival, bass and bariton respectively as the noble father and the tyrant. However, Capuleti is not strictly a belcanto opera because of its intimate and at times dramatic atmosphere. So much so that the many embellishments, counterbalanced by a well-defined melodic core, are not ornamentation anymore but start to take an expressive connotation.
Italian Opera the February monthly program of main events in the most famous Italian theaters. Don’t waste time and plan your visit to Italy now, taking advantage of cheap flights and good hotel rates! A wonderful stay in a quiet period of the year enriched by a great choice of amazing performances is at hand.