Zelmira

Composer: Rossini, Gioachino

Librettist/Text Author: Tottola, Andrea Leone

Conductor: Abbado, Roberto

Orchestra: Bologna Teatro Comunale Orchestra

Chorus: Bologna Teatro Comunale Chorus

Chorus Master: Vero, Paolo

Antenore: Kunde, Gregory

Eacide: Brito, Francisco Ruben

Emma: Pizzolato, Marianna

Gran Sacerdote: Sperandio, Savio

Ilo: Florez, Juan Diego

Leucippo: Palazzi, Mirco

Polidoro: Esposito, Alex

Zelmira: Aldrich, Kate

Set Designer: Barberio Corsetti, Giorgio

Set Designer: Taraborrelli, Cristian

Costume Designer: Taraborrelli, Cristian

Costume Designer: Buscemi, Angela

Lighting Designer: Cappelletti, Gianluca

Stage Director: Barberio Corsetti, Giorgio

Television Director: Mancini, Tiziano

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Date of Production: 2009

Festival: Rossini Opera Festival

Playing Time: 03:12:35

Catalogue Number: A00008823

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Though rarely performed today, the dramma per musica Zelmira is regarded as one of Rossini's most important and musically complex works. Roberto Abbado conducts a cast of noted soloists, including Kate Aldrich, acclaimed as "the discovery of the year" (L'Unita), in the title role of a princess unjustly accused of having killed her father, sung by Alex Esposito. While Gregory Kunde and Marianna Pizzolano stand out for their vocal artistry, the palm goes to star tenor Juan Diego Florez, whose opening aria, with its five high D's and long-held high C, was hailed by Opernwelt as "phenomenal."