SAVERIO MERCADANTE (1795-1870): Highlights from I Normanni a Parigi.

Description: The great thing about these highlights versions is that one gets the absolute best parts of what might be a rather long and, in this case, dramatically very off-the-wall bizarre and convoluted night at the theatre. The years-long malice Mercadante held for the soprano who made this premiere a success in 1832 is well-documented; the tangled mixture of history and fantasy bravely untangled (more or less) and the note-writer is able to show you exactly how and where the composer is innovating and claiming "his place in the avant-garde of his time". Complete libretto with the usual detailed notes and color photos of the singers, with recorded portions in blue. Italian-English libretto. Judith Howarth (soprano), Katarina Karnéus (mezzo), Barry Banks (tenor), Ricardo Novaro (baritone), Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Philharmonia Orchestra; Stuart Stratford.