Violanta, Op. 8

Composer: Korngold, Erich Wolfgang

Librettist/Text Author: Muller, Hans

Conductor: Steinberg, Pinchas

Orchestra: Torino Teatro Regio Orchestra

Chorus: Torino Teatro Regio Chorus

Chorus Master: Secchi, Andrea

Alfonso: Reinhardt, Norman

Barbara: Chiuri, Annamaria

Bice: Parassidis, Soula

First Maid: Braynova, Eugenia

First Soldier: Olivieri, Cristiano

Giovanni Bracca: Sonn, Peter

Matteo: Folque, Joan

Second Maid: De Pian, Claudia

Second Soldier: Wernick, Gabriel Alexander

Simone Trovai: Kupfer-Radecky, Michael

Violanta: Kremer, Annemarie

Set Designer: Pizzi, Pier Luigi

Costume Designer: Pizzi, Pier Luigi

Lighting Designer: Anfossi, Andrea

Stage Director: Pizzi, Pier Luigi

Television Director: Ricchetti, Matteo

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Date of Production: 01-2020

Venue: Teatro Regio, Torino

Playing Time: 01:28:29

Catalogue Number: 37876

UPC: 8007144378769

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Violanta is anxious to avenge the death of her sister Norina, who committed suicide after being seduced and abandoned by Prince Alfonso. Violanta attracts Alfonso to her palace to have him killed by her husband, Simone Trovai, but once in his presence, she discovers a man tormented by unhappiness and remorse, and she falls in love with him. Aware that she cannot escape the fate of death, she will call Simone and receive the fatal blow in place of Alfonso.

Violanta is Korngold's second opera; the composer wrote it at the age of 17 (1914). The setting in an imaginary and decadent 15th century Venice reflects the fascination at that time for the Renaissance age and for the themes of passion and death. Korngold's music, with very refined orchestration, perfectly paints the contrast between the dark and deadly atmosphere of the oppressive world which Simone forces upon his wife, and the sudden glimpses of life, sensuality, and passion brought by Alfonso, making Violanta one of the masterpieces of the early 20th century.