17 Jun 2012

Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)

From Composer of the Week, 9:15 am on 17 June 2012
Donizetti by Marie-Alexandre Alophe

Donizetti by Marie-Alexandre Alophe Photo: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

Donizetti was born in a cellar in Bergamo, Italy to poor parents with no musical background. Despite this both Gaetano and his eldest brother Giuseppe ending up pursuing musical careers.

Elric Hooper and Des Wilson explore the difficulties of composing opera in an era without copyright when rigorous state censors could edit or embargo your libretto at will.

Donizetti’s operas weren’t always successful, but he tirelessly worked on, writing bel canto arias for some of the best voices in the business.

Music Details:

DONIZETTI: Ohimè! Sorge il tremendo fantasma, from Lucia de Lammermoor - Joan Sutherland (sop), Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Chorus & Orch/ Richard Bonynge (Decca 410 193)
DONIZETTI: Overture, Anna Bolena - Welsh National Opera Orchestra/ Bonynge (Decca 421 096)
DONIZETTI: Una Furtiva Lagrima, from L’elisir d’amore - Luciano Pavarotti (ten), Metropolitan Opera Chorus and Orchestra/ James Levine (DG 429 744)
DONIZETTI: Prendi per me sei libero, from L’elisir d’amore - Maria Callas (sop), Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire/ Nicola Resigno (EMI CDC 7 47283)
DONIZETTI: Chi mi frena, from Lucia di Lammermoor – Joan Sutherland (sop), Luciano Pavarotti (ten), Sherrill Milnes (bar), Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Chorus & Orch/ Richard Bonynge (Decca 410 193)
DONIZETTI: Deh! Tu di un Preghiera, Maria Stuarda - Edita Gruberova (sop); Iris Vermillion (mezzo), Bavarian Radio Chorus, Munich
Radio Orchestra/ Giuseppe Patanè (Philips 426 233)
DONIZETTI: La la la… Chacun de sait, chacun le dit, from La Fille du Régiment - Joan Sutherland (sop), Royal Opera House, Covent Garden Chorus & Orch/ Richard Bonynge (Decca 414 520)
DONIZETTI: O Luce di quest anima, from Linda di Chamounix  - Kathleen Battle (sop), London Phil/ Bruno Campanella
DONIZETTI: Bravo, bravo, Don Pasquale! - Beverly Sills (sop), Ambrosian Opera Chorus, LSO/ Sarah Caldwell (EMI 5 66030)