ドニゼッティ: 歌劇《当惑した家庭教師》

若きドニゼッティが作曲した歌劇《当惑した家庭教師》は1824年、ローマで初演され大好評を博したと伝えられています。本作は、ドニゼッティの生地ベルガモのドニゼッティ財団と市の共同プロジェクトとして2015年に発足し、ドニゼッティの作品上演に革新的な新風を吹き込んできた「ドニゼッティ音楽祭」の新制作となるローマ初演版のライヴ録音です。ドン・ジューリオ役のアレッサンドロ・コルベッリ、家庭教師グレゴーリオ役のアレックス・エスポージトというオペラ・ブッファの重鎮たる二人の名歌手を中心に、ドニゼッティ劇場財団が運営するマスタークラス「ボッテーガ・ドニゼッティ」の研修生から選抜された活きの良い若手歌手たちが、1990年生まれの新鋭ヴィンチェンツォ・ミッレタリの軽快で瑞々しいタクトに導かれた音楽に応えて、溌剌とした歌唱を繰り広げます。
ナクソス・ジャパン

Gaetano Donizettis Laio nellimbarazzo, also known as Lajo nell-imbarazzo, of 1824 is hardly a familiar work, even in its later revision as Don Gregorio. There are a few recordings on small Italian labels, but this live recording from 2022, with some fine veteran Italian singers, may be the preferred version. Laio nellimbarazzo means "The Tutor in a Jam," and the plot is pure comic opera, with a nobleman who decrees that his two sons must avoid romance until they are 40. They of course ignore this; one already has a child, and the other is boinking the maid, Leonarda. The production from which this was taken, at the Donizetti Opera Festival in Bergamo, transplanted the action to the future, with reputedly questionable results, and it didnt really need the transplantation; audiences in 1824 loved the tale that mocked the dying old order, giving the composer one of his first big hits, and the fully realized female characters proved immensely appealing. Donizetti met his task with crackling, up-to-the-minute music that broke up the recitative-aria alternation in ways both inventive and natural. The secco recitatives, where they do occur, are backed with an appealing naturalness by Hana Lee on a fortepiano. The cast, led by the 70-year-old Alessandro Corbelli as the Marquis Giulio, is excellent, and the energy of conductor Vincenzo Milletari propels the action forward. A must for lovers of bel canto opera, this is an enjoyable find for anyone. ~ James Manheim