Gioachino Rossini's opera seria Semiramide will be broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York on March 10, 2018 at the Praha Cinema in Warsaw.
This masterpiece of dazzling vocal fireworks makes a rare Met appearance – its first in nearly 25 years – with Maurizio Benini on the podium. The all-star bel canto cast features Angela Meade in the title role of the murderous Queen of Babylon, who squares off in breathtaking duets with Arsace, a trouser role sung by Elizabeth DeShong. Javier Camarena, Ildar Abdrazakov, and Ryan Speedo Green complete the stellar cast.
Semiramide is the culmination of the Italian phase of Rossini’s monumental yet unusual career. He had already produced such immortal comedies as Il Barbiere di Siviglia and L’Italiana in Algeri, but in the early 19th century he was celebrated above all else for his tragedies – none more so than Semiramide. For decades after its premiere, the opera swept through the music capitals of Europe and beyond, enthralling audiences with its urgent, transcendentally beautiful use of melody; undeniably exhilarating drama; and, most importantly, astonishing vocal displays. Rossini’s epic is set in ancient Babylon, now modern-day Iraq, a kingdom which flourished between the 18th and sixth centuries BCE. While the opera does include a handful of local details for color, including the legendary Hanging Gardens, Rossini and Rossi were more concerned with establishing a feeling of legend and wonder than presenting any true historical accuracy.
The music of Semiramide combines the cherished assets of Rossini’s style—magnificent vocalism, irresistible melody, buoyant energy—with achievements unique to this score. The extremely difficult vocal style necessary for the solos is evident from the title character’s ravishing aria, “Bel raggio lusinghier.” Rossini’s famous mastery of rhythm forms the core of this opera. In the justly famous duets, subtle rhythmic changes and pulsing melodic figures illustrate the characters’ emerging realizations. And the towering ensembles, such as the extended Act I finale, are proof of the vast musical conception Rossini realized in this opera, far beyond opportunities limited to superficial vocal display.
The performance will be in the original language (Italian) with Polish subtitles. List of cinemas, dates of shows and cast – here.
Media patronage: Polish Music Information Centre POLMIC.
Additional information at: http://www.kinopraha.pl
