GASPARE SPONTINI La fuga in maschera Ruth Rosique Conducted by Corrado Rovaris Caterina Di Tonno Staged by Alessandra Marianelli Leo Muscato Clemente Daliotti Festival Pergolesi Spontini GASPARE SPONTINI Once known for his stately grand operas written for Napoleon and the courts of Paris, Berlin and Vienna, Gaspare Spontini (1774-1851) posthumously surprised posterity with a light-hearted “commedia La fuga per musica” that was found at an antiquarian book dealer in England in 2006 and performed for the first time since 1800 at the Festival Pergolesi e Spontini in Jesi, Italy. in maschera (The Masked Flight) With its motoric ensembles, intensifying rhythmic repetitions, and imaginative play with word fragments, La fuga in maschera anticipates Rossini at his best. Among the many varied pieces dotting the typical “buffo” soundscape are Romantic-style arias for the lead tenor Conductor Corrado Rovaris and a battle duet fought by the two prima donnas with razor-sharp Orchestra I Virtuosi Italiani coloraturas. Elena Ruth Rosique The plot contains countless mix-ups and misunderstandings, along Olimpia Caterina Di Tonno with the inevitable foolish guardian of a pretty young woman: two Corallina Alessandra Marianelli young female cousins are determined to marry the men they’ve Nardullo Clemente Daliotti fallen in love with and make it to the altar in spite of the stupidity of Marzucco Filippo Morace the “foolish guardian” Marzucco and the intrigues of two swindlers. Nastagio Alessandro Spina They succeed, with the help of many masks, disguises and plot Doralbo Dionigi D’Ostuni twists. To heighten the plot’s spirit and wit, director Leo Muscato transforms this typical Neapolitan buffo comedy into a cocky, over- the-top spectacle. Stage Director Leo Muscato Video Director Tiziano Mancini In the pit, Corrado Rovaris and I Virtuosi Italiani play with immense verve and joy. Known for their historically informed performances, the Length 149' ensemble is considered as “one of the most dynamic and able-bodied ensembles in the international musical world” (Milano Finanza). Totally Shot in HDTV 1080/50i convincing in their roles as young lovers are the young singers who are Cat. no. A00050007 also “masters in the ancient art of commedia dell’arte” (la Repubblica) Ruth Rosique, Caterina Di Tonno, Alessandra Marianelli, Clemente Paliotti, Filippo Morace, Alessandro Spina and Dionigi D’Ostuni. A production of Sphaera Audiovisuale in co-production with Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini, UNITEL and CLASSICA World Sales: All rights reserved · credits not contractual · Different territories · Photos: © Foto Binci · Flyer: luebbeke.com Tel. +49.30.30306464 [email protected] Unitel GmbH & Ko. KG, Germany · Tel. +49.89.673469-613 · [email protected] www.unitelclassica.com.