Day 337
Donizetti: Rita (Deux Hommes et une Femme)
Soloists
Hallé Orchestra
Mark Elder
Perhaps surprisingly, given my enthusiasm for Rossini, I don't have a great deal of experience with Donizetti. I've know Don Pasquale since my student days (it might even have been when I was still at school), ever since seeing a scene from it in one of Geraint Evan's wonderful TV opera masterclasses. It is still one of my favourite operas. But other than that I only know a few of the well known bits and pieces.
Rita is a one act opera with 8 music numbers separated by dialogue. It has a curious history. It was written, with a French text, for the Opéra-Comique in 1841 but for some reason was rejected by the management. A projected performance in Italy didn't come off and it was left unperformed at Donizetti's death in 1848. It finally received its first performance, at the Opéra-Comique in 1860.
It is really hard to imagine why it was turned down originally because I think it is an absolute gem. It fizzes with real energy and humour. Donizetti's Italianate lyricism shines though but it is given a characteristically French tinge with more than a touch of Auber. There are some really good comic scenes - such as when the two men play a card game with the loser having to marry the rather fearsome Rita. Of course it all ends happily. This was a scintillating piece and I am so glad to have made its acquaintance.
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