UPDATE: A quick preview of tonight’s (this afternoon’s, actually) spectacular radio broadcast of I puritani from the Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

First, a hint of some of the “new” musical ideas in this edition of Puritani. This is the final cabaletta of the opera, performed (as it was apparently originally intended) as a duet for tenor and soprano.

“Senti, o mio bel angelo”

And here a snippet on YouTube of a moment slightly earlier in the opera. (Mon ami Pedro tells me that the production is to be telecast and released on DVD, which would explain the onstage presence of cameras during the prova generale.)

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/7HQ02zDrjOs" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Elvira: Nino Machaidze
Lord Arturo Talbo: Juan Diego Florez
Sir Riccardo Forth: Gabriele Viviani
Sir Giorgio: Ildebrando D’Arcangelo
Direttore: Michele Mariotti
Regia, scene, costumi e luci: Pier’Alli

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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