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Olympic Opera: Love, Lies, and Lost Twins!
16 Jul
Summary
- Pergolesi's opera, set during ancient Olympics, features love triangles and twins.
- Giulio Prandi's 2.5-hour version streamlines the complex plot effectively.
- The performance captures the thrill of live opera in a historic 18th-century theatre.
Pietro Metastasio's libretto, once the basis for numerous operas, found a remarkable interpretation in Pergolesi's 1735 work. This opera, set against the backdrop of the ancient Olympic Games, explores intricate relationships and mistaken identities.
The plot centers on a disguised competitor, a rival's spurned lover, and the surprising revelation of twin siblings, creating a narrative of considerable complexity. Giulio Prandi's recent recording, trimmed to a manageable two and a half hours, successfully conveys the drama with brisk pacing.
Conducted by Alessandro De Marchi, the Orchestra Ghislieri delivers a taut and energetic performance. While the recording may lack the sonic depth of earlier accounts, it excels in capturing the live atmosphere. The cast, featuring Carlotta Colombo as the richly portrayed Aristea and Silvia Frigato as the plaintive Argene, is strong. The unique setting of the Teatro Pergolesi in Jesi adds to the authenticity of this live recording, despite some intermittent stage noise.
