I Puritani

[MSFixR]

Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835) was a Sicilian, bel canto opera composer in the style of Rossini. He is most famous for his opera Norma whose title role is generally considered one of the most difficult in the soprano repertoire. Last night we saw his final opera, I Puritani (The Puritans). I Puritani premiered at the Paris opera house in 1835. The version presented last night, however, was a revision of that opera written specifically for soprano Maria Malibran who died as a result of a fall from a horse and never perform the opera. The Naples version as it was known was not staged until 1986.
I Puritani takes place during the English civil war (1642-49). Elvira, daughter of Puritan Lord Walton, is in love with Royalist Arturo. After arguing with her father and threatening to kill herself, Elvira and Arturo are allow to wed. The wedding is postponed when Arturo rescues Queen Henrietta (widow of Charles I) and spirits her away from certain execution. Elvira, thinking that Arturo is in love with the queen, descends into madness. It is only at the end of the opera when Arturo returns that she regains her sanity and the two prepare again to be wed.
I Puritani is filled with wonderful music and beautiful solos, duets, and choruses. But none of it has the catchy appeal of Verdi's "La donna e mobile" or Puccini's "O soave fanciulla". The lead soprano was in excellent voice but the tenor was suffering from allergies and it affected his performance. An 800 seat theater restricts the set design; all of the opera takes place with only minor changes. I must say that the costumes employed in this opera were the lamest I have seen particularly those of the female chorus members.
Overall, it was a fine production of a seldom heard opera and the $98 per seat cost was justified.

References: Vincenzo Bellini I Puritani Listen to the music