Bellini: Puritani I

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Cat No: 8110259-60

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Release Date: 12 January 2003

Label: Naxos - Historical / Naxos Historical

Packaging Type: Jewel Case

No of Units: 2

Barcode: 636943125922

Genres: Classical

Composer/Series: BELLINI

Description
SynopsisThe action of I Puritani takes place in the middle of theseventeenth century, towards the end of the English Civil War. England isdivided between the Royalists, faithful to the Stuart monarchy and leaningtowards Catholicism, and the Roundheads, the supporters of Oliver Cromwell andsiding with Puritan religious views. King Charles I has been executed and hiswife Queen Henrietta has escaped in disguise. The setting is Plymouth, a Puritanstronghold. CD 1Act IScene 1[1] The Introduction opens with an orchestral Sinfonia,setting the scene in a fortress in Plymouth. Battlements and turrets are seen,against the mountains in the background. The sun is rising. [2] The voice of thePuritan officer Sir Bruno Roberton is heard, with the soldiers on guard, as thetrumpet signals mark the dawn of a new day and the men express theirdetermination to defeat the Stuarts. [3] A bell rings and the sound of theorgan is heard, as the Puritans are heard in prayer, with Elvira, daughter ofthe governor of the town, Lord Gualtiero Valton, the retired Puritan colonelSir Giorgio, his brother, and the Puritan colonel Sir Riccardo Forth. [4] Thepeople in the fortress sing in celebration of the coming wedding of Elvira.They go, leaving Bruno, who stands aside, observing Riccardo. [5] Riccardolaments Elvira's failure to return his love. Bruno interrupts his musing andsuggests that he still has his country and heaven as consolation. Riccardo explainshow Elvira's father had agreed to her marriage to him, but when he hadapproached him, Lord Valton had told him that he had no command over hisdaughter's heart, and that she was in love with the cavalier, Arturo Talbo. [6]Riccardo laments again his loss of Elvira. [7] Soldiers march past and Brunourges Riccardo to think of his country and honour, but the latter continues todwell on the memory of his tender love.Scene 2[8] The new scene is set in Elvira's room. The Gothic windowsare open and the battlements of the fortress can be seen. Elvira, in somedistress, addresses Giorgio, her uncle, telling him she will never marryRiccardo. [9] She would rather die than marry him, but he tells herthat he has persuaded her father to allow her to marry Arturo, in spite of hissupport for the royalists. Elvira is overjoyed, and Giorgio explains how he hadconvinced her father, telling him that Elvira would die if she were forced intothis marriage. [10] The sound of hunting horns are heard, heralding the arrivalof Arturo, granted a safe conduct to the Puritan fortress. Elvira and Giorgioexpress their joy at the occasion. [11] All gather for the wedding, as Arturoand his retinue, squires and pages, appear, and there is a chorus of praise forthe couple, beauty now to be united to valour. [12] Arturo addresses Elvira andthe onlookers express their delight at the happiness of the couple. [13] Valtongives Arturo the necessary pass and tells his brother Giorgio to accompany thecouple to their wedding. Turning to Enrichetta, he courteously tells her th
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