Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
Performer: Marina Rebeka, Corinna Scheurle, Judit Kutasi, Ivan Magrì, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks
Orchestra: Münchner Rundfunkorchester
Conductor: Ivan Repušić
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: BR Klassik
Catalogue: 900323
Release: 2018
Size: 1.32 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Luisa Miller
CD 01
01. Sinfonia
Act I
02. Scene 1: Ti desta, Luisa (Laura, Villagers, Miller, Luisa, Rodolfo)
03. Scene 1: Ferma ed ascolta (Wurm, Miller)
04. Scene 2: Che mai narrasti! (Walter, Wurm)
05. Scene 2: Padre … (Rodolfo, Walter, The Duchess’s Companions, Federica)
06. Scene 2: Duchessa … (Rodolfo, Federica)
07. Scene 3: Sciogliete i levrieri (Hunters, Luisa, Miller, Rodolfo, Walter, Archers, Laura, Villagers)
CD 02
Act II
01. Scene 1: Ah! Luisa, Luisa, ove sei? (Villagers, Luisa, Laura, Wurm)
02. Scene 1: Il padre tuo … (Wurm, Luisa)
03. Scene 2: Egli delira: sul mattin degli anni (Walter, Wurm)
04. Scene 2: Vien la Duchessa! (Walter, Frederica, Luisa, Wurm)
05. Scene 3: Il foglio dunque? (Rodolfo, A peasant, Wurm, Servants, Walter)
Act III
06. Come in un giorno, solo (Laura, Villagers, Luisa, Miller)
07. Pallida, mesta sei! (Miller, Luisa)
08. Ah! L’ultima preghiera (Luisa, Rodolfo, Miller, Villagers, Walter)
Ivan Repusic made his debut as Chief Conductor of the Münchner Rundfunkorchester on September 24, 2017 at the city’s Prinzregententheater with a concert performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Luisa Miller sung in the original Italian at Munich’s Prinzregententheater. The Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka – the orchestra’s Artist in Residence during the 2017/18 season – was successfully engaged for her debut in the title role of the tragic opera, based on Friedrich Schiller’s Kabale und Liebe. This highlight of the Munich music scene last autumn has now been released by BR-KLASSIK. Verdi’s masterpiece was written during the year 1849 in Paris and Busseto, completed in Naples, and first performed there on December 8, 1849 at the city’s Teatro San Carlo. Schiller’s tragedy tells the story of the calamitous love of the nobleman Ferdinand (Rodolfo in the opera) for the musician’s daughter Luisa Miller, who falls victim to a terrible court intrigue that ultimately drives both to their deaths. To turn the play into an opera Verdi worked intensively with his librettist Salvadore Cammarano; both men were fascinated by Schiller’s tableau-like dramaturgy, which matched their own ideas of an ‘epic drama’. The tragedy was given three acts, entitled ‘Amore’ (Love), ‘Intrigo’ (Intrigue) and ‘Veleno’ (Poison).
Luisa Miller marks the end of years of hardship for Verdi who is now in full possession of his own musical language, and he does not owe anything to Bellini or Donizetti anymore. The opera, with a rather complex architecture, starts with a beautiful overture, and is supported by a dramatic direction and an inspired melodic style, with perfectly characterised roles. Recorded during a live version performed in 2017 in Munich’s Prinzregententheater, this new version of Luisa Miller, with its eminently international cast, sounds undeniably appealing. The title role is held by Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka. This great interpreter of Mozart and Rossini made her acclaimed debut in Salzburg, under the direction of Riccardo Muti, and has since sung on the greatest lyrical stages in the world. By her side, Sicilian tenor Ivan Magri as Rodolfo, and Romanian George Petean who asserts himself as one of today’s best Verdian baritones. Croatian conductor Ivan Repušić leads the way with meticulous efficiency, lending a true “italianità” to the Munich Radio Orchestra.