department navigation
click for search help

To change your guide currency and shipping destination go here and 20% Value Added Tax will be removed from prices for Channel Islands and non European Union countries.

 McAfee Secure sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams

Additional composers or artists are detailed after their works.
Click to Order
Add to Wish List
Write a Review

More by:

Composer:
Saverio Mercadante

Artist(s):
Judith Howarth
Barry Banks

Conductor:
Stuart Stratford

Background: Opera Rara continues to explore the fascinating figure of Saverio Mercadante with this world premiere recording of substantial highlights from I Normanni a Parigi, written for Turin in 1832. With Rossini in retirement, Mercadante was then in competition with Bellini and Donizetti for the crown of Italian opera. As this work demonstrates, he was easily in the running. Mercadante expert Michael Rose describes it as ‘one of the highlights of this period’, scoring ‘a triumph’ at its premiere before circulating widely. The libretto (by Felice Romani, the finest practitioner of the art in his day) is set in Paris, following the death of the mighty King Charlemagne, with the city threatened and eventually besieged by Norman invaders. The complex plot centres on Charlemagne’s widow, Berta (sung by Judith Howarth), who was previously secretly married to Ordamante (Riccardo Novaro) in a relationship that produced her equally secret son, Osvino (Katarina Karnéus), now guarded by the loyal Odone (Barry Banks). When Ordamante leads the Normans against the Carolingian forces, father and son are pitted against each other, though the latter initially knows nothing of their relationship. The scene is set for personal and political drama of the highest order in this gripping drama from the heart of the bel canto repertoire.

A vivid impression of the work is captured on a single disc, accompanied by a complete libretto and article by the eminent 19th century musical scholar, Jeremy Commons.

CATALOGUE NR: ORR249
RECORD LABEL: Opera Rara
FORMAT: CD
PRICE: including VAT £ 12.77
RELEASE DATE: 01-Nov-2010

COMPOSER: Saverio Mercadante
TITLE: I Normanni a Parigi - highlights
ORCHESTRA: Philharmonia Orchestra
CONDUCTOR: Stuart Stratford
ARTISTS: Judith Howarth   Barry Banks   Riccardo Novaro   Graeme Broadbent

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: includes complete libretto

Normally ships in 3-4 complete working days after order

Others who bought this title also bought:
Set up a PIN | Check an existing order | How to order | Privacy Policy | Contact Information | Secure Server Details
Copyright (c) Crotchet. All rights reserved
go to the advanced search facility browse the current multi-buy discounts browse our top 20 best selling titles go to your account administration go to your wishlists go to details of the crotchet affiliate program check your basket go to check status of existing web store orders go to help on crotchet web store facilities go to classical home the main classical music department go to the baroque and early music department go to the chamber music department go to the film soundtrack department go to the orchestral music department go to the opera department go to the arias, songs / lieder, vocal and choral music department go to the dvd video department go to the sacd department go to the box set department go to the audio books department go to the jazz and nostalgia department go to the world music department go to this department for featured pre-release titles and discounts go to the classical music historical recordings department go to the classical twofers - 2 CDs for the price of 1 department go to the naxos department go to the universal classics department go to the warner classics department click to see the featured pre-release titles click to see the featured releases click for more information on the advanced search facility Website currency converter