Imelda de' Lambertazzi
Opera by Gaetano Donizetti
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Imelda de' Lambertazzi is a melodramma tragico or tragic opera in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti from a libretto by Andrea Leone Tottola, based on the tragedy Imelda by Gabriele Sperduti. It received its first performance on 5 September 1830 at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples.
| Imelda de' Lambertazzi | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Gaetano Donizetti | |
Gaetano Donizetti c. 1835 | |
| Librettist | Andrea Leone Tottola |
| Language | Italian |
| Based on | Gabriele Sperduti's Imelda |
| Premiere | |
Performance history
The opera was not a great success and performances of it are very rare. A concert performance was given on 10 March 2007 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, conducted by Mark Elder, which was recorded by Opera Rara.[1]
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 5 September 1830 (Conductor: - ) |
|---|---|---|
| Imelda | soprano | Antonietta Galzerani |
| Bonifacio Geremei | baritone | Antonio Tamburini |
| Lamberto | tenor | Berardo Winter |
| Orlando Lambertazzi | tenor | Giovanni Basadonna |
| Ugo | bass | Michele Benedetti |
| Ubaldo | bass | Gennaro Ambrosini |
| Customers, followers of Lambertazzi, friends of Gieremei, soldiers, people | ||
Synopsis
(This is a variation of the story of Romeo and Juliet.)
- Time: 16th century
- Place: Bologna[2]
Imelda Lambertazzi (of the family supporting the Guelfs) loves Bonifacio, heir of the Geremei (of the family supporting the Ghibellines). When Bonifacio proposes peace between the families, to be sealed by their marriage, he is met with the ire of Imelda's father and brother. When Bonifacio attempts to see Imelda, he is stabbed with a poisoned dagger by her brother. Imelda pleads for forgiveness from her father before expiring herself, having sucked the poison from Bonifacio's wound.
Recordings
| Year | Cast: Imelda, Lamberto, Orlando Lambertazzi, Bonifacio |
Conductor, Opera House and Orchestra |
Label[3] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Floriana Sovilla, Diego D' Auria, Fausto Tenzi, Andrea Martin |
Marc Andreae, Italian Switzerland Radio/TV Orchestra (Recorded at performances in Lugano, 15–19 February) |
Audio CD: Nuova Era Cat: 6778/6779 |
| 2007 | Nicole Cabell, Massimo Giordano, Frank Lopardo, James Westman |
Mark Elder, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Geoffrey Mitchell Choir |
Audio CD: Opera Rara Cat: ORC 36 |