Rossini: La donna del lago CD (Maurizio Benini)

Rossini’s La donna del lago was the first Italian opera to be based on a work by Sir Walter Scott, the narrative poem The Lady of the Lake. The seventh of nine operas which Rossini wrote for the Royal Theatres of Naples, La donna del lago was composed for Isabella Colbran, the Spanish soprano who, in 1822, became his wife; for Giovanni David and Andrea Nozzari, two tenors who, since they were stable members of the San Carlo company throughout these years, became associated for all time with his operas; and for Rosmunda Pisaroni, one of the great mezzo-sopranos of the age who specialised in male travestì roles. Created by four singers of such extraordinary accomplishment, it is little wonder that this proved one of the most successful of all Rossini’s serious operas. Recorded at the 2006 Edinburgh International Festival, with the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the opera is conducted by Maurizio Benini.

Elena: Carmen Giannattasio

Giacomo V, disguised as Uberto: Kenneth Tarver

Malcolm Groeme: Patricia Bardon

Rodrigo di Dhu: Gregory Kunde

Douglas d'Angus: Robert Gleadow

Albina: Francesca Sassu

Serano/Bertram: Mark Wilde

Sheperds and shepherdesses; Scottish bards, Scottish lords and ladies, Highland clansmen and warriors, huntsmen, royal guards

Edinburgh Festival Chorus

Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Maurizio Benini 2006

3 CD Box Set