The Collegiate Chorale presents a Bellini rarity.
by
Paul J. Pelkonen
 |
| Angela Meade stars in Beatrice di Tenda. |
On Wednesday night at Carnegie Hall, the Collegiate Chorale will present a rare New York performance of
Beatrice di Tenda by the
bel canto composer Vincenzo Bellini. This is the first performance of this opera in New York since 1988.
Please note: the performance starts at 6pm.
Beatrice stands in the composers's canon between
Norma and
I Puritani. The opera has a compelling title role (sung here by
Angela Meade) and a style of dark choral writing that inspired Verdi in early operas such as
Ernani and
I due Foscari.
The plot deals with Beatrice's unhappy marriage to Filippo, the Duke of Milan. Filippo has eyes for Agnese, a rial at court. She, in turn is in love with Orombello, another courtier. In the opera's climax, the Duke and Agnese accuse Beatrice of adultery...with Orombello. A trial follows and Beatrice is sentenced to death. The libretto (by Bellini's usual collaborator, Felice Romani) has a curiously unfinished quality, which may account for why Beatrice has never gained a foothold with the public.
However, with singers like this, you don't need to worry too much about the plot. Angela Meade takes on Beatrice. This is the
bel canto soprano's first major New York appearance of the 2012 season. She is joined by mezzo Jamie Barton as Agnese, tenor Michael Spyres (Orombello) and baritone Nicholes Pallesan. James Bagwell conducts the Collegiate Chorale and the American Symphony Orchestra.
