Erik Nielsen - Herold: Zampa, ou La fiancee de marbre (Complete) - Import 2 CD + Book

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Erik Nielsen

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[*Zampa*, Famous for Its Overture: One of the 19th Century’s Most Popular Works Returns! A Tragicomedy Depicting the Love and Fate of a Notorious Pirate] Hérold’s masterpiece *Zampa*, which was a huge success at its 1831 premiere and enjoyed immense popularity throughout the 19th century, is brought back to life in this first-ever complete recording. This opera-comique, brimming with the charm of a tragicomedy that depicts the love and fate of Zampa—a defiant pirate who fears not even God and is reminiscent of Mozart’s *Don Giovanni*—captivated audiences with its rich, Sicilian-inspired colors and and the spectacular grandeur inherited from grand opera—epitomized by the eruption of Mount Etna—captivated audiences. Unusual for a Romantic opera, it largely excludes traditional low-voice roles such as bass and baritone, instead centering on high-voiced singers led by four tenors—a major distinguishing feature. It was once a popular work that was staged more than 500 times at the Opéra-Comique alone; however, the difficulty of securing four tenors capable of mastering the demanding roles, the resulting adaptation of vocal ranges in some venues—which diminished the charm of the original—the high barriers to staging an “opéra-comique” with spoken dialogue in non-French-speaking regions, and the waning popularity of the “opéra-comique” genre itself all contributed to the work eventually falling into obscurity. However, the overture—which captivates the audience from the very beginning with its energetic theme—skillfully quotes the beautiful melodies of the opera itself and builds to a spectacular climax with a Rossini-style crescendo. As such, it has survived on its own as Hérold’s greatest masterpiece and remains widely beloved to this day. This recording features an outstanding ensemble of French-speaking soloists who masterfully perform the highly demanding roles. Supported by the Munich Radio Orchestra and the Bavarian Radio Choir, led by Erik Nielsen, the original brilliance intended by Érol has been magnificently recreated. We invite you to enjoy this historic album, presented by Palazzetto Blu Zane, which is dedicated to the revival of French music. [Synopsis] Sicily in the early 17th century. Camille, the daughter of a wealthy man, is on the verge of marrying Alphonse when Zampa—a ruthless pirate who has ruined the lives of many women—suddenly appears. He takes Camille’s father hostage and demands, as a condition for his release, that Camille marry him and hand over her entire fortune. Zampa mocks the statue of Alice—a woman who lost her life after he deceived her—and playfully slips an engagement ring onto her finger, but the marble finger closes around the ring and refuses to let go. Unable to resist the threat, Camille agrees to the marriage. On their wedding night, Alphonse appears to rescue her and confronts Zampa, but is captured. In the midst of this desperate crisis, the statue of Alice reappears, grabs Zampa by the arm, and drags him into the flames of hell. Peace returns to the village. Naxos Japan