Rossini: Sigismondo (Live 2-CD)

Composer: Giaochino Rossini
Artists: Hera Hyesang Park, Marianna Pizzolato, Rachel Kelly, Kenneth Tarver, Gavan Ring, Guido Loconsolo, Il Hong, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Münchner Rundfunkorchester
Conductor: Keri-Lynn Wilson
Number of Discs: 2
Label: BR Klassiks
CD Release Date: August 2, 2019

Although it is Rossini’s comic operas that are primarily performed today, more than half of his stage works are in fact based on serious themes. One veritable rarity is Sigismondo, which premiered in 1814 at the famous Teatro La Fenice in Venice but was only ever rarely performed afterwards. Presumably, the story on which it was based had no appeal for the audience at that time, because musically, the work is hardly less impressive than L’Italiana in Algeri, written during the previous year, or Il Barbiere di Siviglia, which followed two years later.

Rossini shows his protagonist, the fictional King Sigismondo, in extreme states of mental distress. Confusion and insanity reveal his inner feelings, and it is only delirium that finally brings the truth to light.

A concert performance of this little-known and unjustly neglected masterpiece was given at Munich’s Prinzregententheater on October 14, 2018 by performers highly familiar with Rossini’s music, which seems easy but is in fact extremely difficult to sing. This extraordinary opera event was a festival of singing that received tumultuous applause as well as great critical acclaim and is now being released on BR Klassik as a live recording.

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