Saverio Mercadante - Zaira - "Senti... Senti..." (Alastair Miles)

Описание: Mercadante's "Zaira", written to basically the same story and a part of the libretto that were already set by Bellini, must be a wonderful work. The highlights of the opera, as recorded by Opera Rara, are proof to this. I'm providing my favorite piece from the opera, a cavatina for the main romantic hero, the cultured and educated sultan of Jerusalem, Orosmane.

The scene is written in a classical succession of opening chorus - scene - cantabile - tempo di mezzo but a very inspiring one. It opens with a particularly grand and exciting celebratory chorus, sung by the sultan's people in celebration of their triumphing sultan. The following aria catches one's attention because of the level of virtuosity it demands from the bass. The cantabile, though obviously a bit secondary to the cabaletta that holds most of the emotional weight of the piece, features a most elegant line, perfectly detailing the happiness and self-assurance of the sultan. Moreover, the piece's floridness actually helps to paint the picture of the self-assured man, certainly the sun around which rotates his world. The following cabaletta is a most remarkable piece with a brilliant line for solo clarinet and beautiful vocalization for the bass. All in all, a most wonderful and, at the same time, dramatic display piece for a talented bass (the role was created by the wonderful Tamburini).

Alastair Miles makes a perfect ruler of the world with just the needed amount of sensitivity. Enjoy :)!