Editor’s Recommendation

Interpretation ****      Sound Quality *****    Repertoire Value *****      Booklet *****

“Not only catchy themes, but also imagination in creating variations, changes in timbre, dramatic and formal surprises are probably what characterize 'great' music. Emilie Mayer shows plenty of this in her first symphonies.”

Interpretation ****      Sound Quality ****    Repertoire Value ****      Booklet ***

“…Theresia’s playing is brilliant and electrifying under De Marchi’s dynamic, propulsive direction. In the role of Bellina (Dottor Romualdo’s pupil), the soprano Eleonora Bellocci’s range of expressions (e.g., affectionate, pert, and sly) underline how the character masters every situation in which she appears. As Bellina’s beloved Filandro, Valentino Buzza has a lyric tenor voice with virtuosic high notes and requisite warmth in tender moments. The alto Angela Schisano portrays Leonora (Romualdo’s housekeeper) as witty and sympathetic. The bass Rocco Cavalluzzi (Don Giampaolo) and the baritone Matteo Loi (Don Romualdo) sound young, which serves as a reminder that ‘mature’ characters in eighteenth-century theatre were often in their late twenties and early thirties. Martina Licori’s light soprano distinguishes Ersilia from her friend, Bellina…”

Classic Today Recommendation

Artistic Quality 10     Sound Quality 10      Overall Impression 10

“…Alessandro De Marchi has fully grasped the spirit of the opera and conducts fluently, so that the music is constantly in vital motion… Tenor Valentino Buzza is surprisingly good as Filandro. He has a pleasant and flexible voice with a secure high register. Rocco Cavalluzzi efficiently uses his dark, warm bass voice in the role of Don Giampaolo.  Matteo Loi’s clear baritone voice as Don Romuald is also very pleasing. Together they form a homogeneous ensemble that is audibly committed to making the spirit of Cimarosa’s music audible. The Theresia Orchestra is a youth orchestra that plays in a historically informed manner on period instruments. It demonstrates a very high standard in an always lively and spirited performance… this new production is most welcome.” ****