Bellini: Il Pirata – review

Giannattasio/Bros/Tézier/LPO/Parry (Opera Rara)Il Pirata made Bellini's name at its premiere in October 1827, a few days before his 26th birthday. A remarkable work, it contains, almost fully formed, the essence of both his preoccupations and style. The narrative, in typical Bellini fashion, focuses on a woman suffering at the hands of unreliable men: Imogene, forced into marriage with Ernesto, is suddenly confronted with her former lover Gualtiero (the pirate of the title), then driven slowly ...

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