Le Donne curiose

Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (1876–1948)

DESCRIPTION

Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari's Le Donne curiose received its premiere in German in Munich before being championed by Arturo Toscanini, who introduced it to the Metropolitan Opera with a cast that included Geraldine Farrar. Despite early acclaim, the opera has remained on the periphery of the repertory, even alongside Wolf-Ferrari’s better-known Il Segreto di Susanna. The score draws richly from the traditions of opera buffa, yet filters them through a distinctly modern idiom—a meeting of the minds between Richard Strauss and Gioachino Rossini.

This performance benefits from a notably strong cast. Rena Garaziotti offers an exuberant, even outsized portrayal of Beatrice, while Renato Capecchi brings an effortless charm to Arlecchino, capturing the opera’s wit and rhythmic verve with finesse.

CAST

Ottavio – Alfredo Mariotti
Beatrice – Rena Garaziotti
Rosaura – Cecilia Fusco
Florindo – Pietro Bottazzo
Pantaleone – Renato Cesari
Lelio – Alberto Rinaldi
Leonardo – Edda Vincenzi
Colombina – Guido Fabbris
Eleonora – Silvana Zanolli
Arlecchino – Renato Capecchi
Asdrubale – Nereo Ceron
Almorò – Pino Castagnoli
Alvise – Augusto Veronese
Lunardo – Gianni Socci
Momolo – Alessandro Maddalena
Mengo – Uberto Scaglione

DETAILS

Location: Venezia
Date: January 5, 1968
Conductor: Oliviero De Fabritiis
Catalogue Number: OD 12291-2
Label: Opera Depot
Number of Discs: 2
In Stereo

Act I

Act II

Act III