Rossini, Gioachino - 3CD-BOX: Otello - Arrivabeni, Paolo (conductor)

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First recording of the Malibran Version

Irine Ratiani, soprano
Patrizia Ciofi, soprano
Simon Edwards, tenor
Gregory Bonfatti, tenor
Soon-Won Kang, bass

Orchestra Internazionale d'Italia
Paolo Arrivabeni, conductor

The Festival of Martina Franca has by now become a welcome rendezvous for the lovers of opera who wish to rediscover some of the last century's most important theatrical works. Many of these have become rarities being very seldom performed internationally not on account of musical shortcomings but because of the progressive stiffening of the lyrical seasons' programs. This Otello by Rossini, for example, recorded live during the last summer's Festival, is a real masterpiece and represents a very important stage in the composer's creative career. The version here recorded is the one written in 1831 for the great soprano Maria Malibran (in the title role) and includes, in addition to the tragic finale from Shakespeare's famous story of love and death, also an alternative happy conclusion.