Were asked for our favorite operatic catfight (confrontation scene) for Day 21 in the 4th round of the New Opera Challenge. My favorite(s) would be Sul suo capo aggravi un dio from Anna Bolena and E un anatema from La Gioconda, but so that we dont get a lot of Bolenas, Giocondas, Stuardas, and Aidas, Im going to take a road less traveled and give you Leggo gia nel vostro cor from Mercadantes Le due illustre rivali. This is, in fact, the only excerpt I know from the opera, but in an opera about two famous rivals, one had to expect a catfight, no?! The liner notes to this recording of duets by Freni and Scotto summarizes the background of this scene: The rivals of the title are Bianca [Scotto], a fourteenth century queen of Navarre, and her childhood friend, Elvira [Freni], daughter of Gusmano di Pardos; each is in love with the knight, Armando di Foix. Finding that he has pledged his faith to Elvira, Bianca authorizes her rivals marriage (against her will) to Alvaro di Olivarez, so causing her apparently to die of grief. But Elvira has merely fallen into a death-like trance, and having awoken in the burial vault, overhears Bianca praying remorsefully by her tomb and confessing her own guilt and envy. On discovering his love to be alive, Armando has won her father to his side; all three have tried in vain to make their escape. Their case must be decided in court. The judges have been evenly divided, but before the queen can give her casting vote, Elvira begs for a word with her alone. In the present duet, she reveals her knowledge of Biancas secret love for Armando and threatens to expose her unless she herself is allowed to marry him. The National Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Leone Magiera, who - I think - was, at one time, Frenis husband. https://youtube/watch?v=cc57HmNJAsY
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 13:39:20 +0000
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