Domenico Alaleona (1881-1928)
Information about the composer Domenico Alaleona and his operas.
Operas:
Mirra
Alaleona's two-act opera based on a play by Vittorio Alfieri is a lively Verismo piece, reminiscent of Puccini, about the incestuous love of Mirra for her father Ciniro, king of Cyprus. It was forgotten after its first performances in 1920, but revived in 2002.
Synopsis
The opera tells the story of Mirra, a young Greek princess who refuses marriage to Prince Pereo, who kills himself in his despair.
When her father Ciniro interrogates her to try and discover the reason for her refusal, Mirra confesses that she has an incestuous love for Ciniro, and she chooses to end her guilt by suicide.
Recommended recordings on CD
Valcuha/Mazzola-Gavazzeni/Gertseva (Naïve Radio France V5001)
A superb recording and performance of this recently rediscovered opera.
Orchestre National de France, Radio France Chorus, conducted by Juraj Valcuha, 2003.
Cast: Denia Mazzola-Gavazzeni (Mirra), Julia Gertseva (Cecri), Hanna Schaer (Euriclea), Mario Malagnini (Pereo), Franck Ferrari (Ciniro).
Naïve Radio France V5001