GIORDANO - Andrea Chénier
Umberto Giordano was not 30 when Andrea Chenier received its premiere at La Scala, Milan, in March 1896; although he lived for a further 52 years he was never able to match its success. Set in Paris at the time of the revolution, the opera tells of the poet Andrea Chenier, who expresses revolutionary sentiments but falls in love with Maddalena, a countess’s daughter. Gérard, a servant at the chateau who also loves her, becomes a major figure in the revolution. Chenier wounds Gérard in a duel and is arrested. Maddelena offers herself to save Chenier – her aria ‘La mamma morta’ has since become a great favourite after it was featured in the film Philadelphia – but although Gérard tries to save them Chenier and Maddelena are condemned to die on the guillotine. Franco Corelli takes the title role in this recording made in the Rome Opera in 1963; he is supported by Antonietta Stella and Mario Sereni with the Rome Opera conducted by Gabriele Santini.

0946 3 58676 2 6 (2CDs)
0946 3 58676 5 7 (Digital Download)