Vincenzo Bellini – I Capuleti e i Montecchi

For many years Fabio Biondi has been investing Italian scores with his own particular genius, and so it is no real surprise to find him extending his reach into early Romanticism with this Glossa release of ‘I Capuleti e i Montecchi’. Bellini s masterpiece, first performed in 1830 to Felice Romani s story of love confronted by struggles for power seamlessly incorporates large sections from a previously unsuccessful opera and, as did Rossini before him, Bellini calls for a mezzo-soprano in the male lead role. Vivica Genaux is Romeo in Biondi s production with Europa Galante (made in Rieti) and she is joined by Valentina Farcas as Giulietta and supported by Davide Giusti (Tebaldo), Fabrizio Beggi (Lorenzo) and Ugo Guagliardo (Capellio). Fabio Biondi clearly intends listeners to discover new details and perspectives on and around the musical score of this new ‘Capuleti’. In his notes he talks about his careful attention to questions of the original acoustic conditions for an opera like this; how modern-day orchestras are now much larger than in Bellini s time; the particular importance of score markings and tempi choices.
The modest forces of Europa Galante let plenty of air into the mix, and the musicians shine in the intricately composed moments … Valentina Farcas is a heartrending Giulietta whose recitative duet with Fabrizio Beggi s sonorously sympathetic Lorenzo is vibrantly theatrical. –Mark Valencia Sinfini Music, 3rd November 2015