The Prima Donna has always been a phenomenon, both as a great
interpreter of opera and as an archetype of femininity - tempestuous,
demanding, manipulative and outrageously alluring. In this pair
of one act operas, two Prima Donnas are illustrated in their
full glory by composers who were all too familiar with the type.
The divas' complicated relationships with adoring music masters
and other admirers prompt full demonstrations of the characteristics
that contribute to the myth.
Domenico Scarlatti is best known for his harpsichord music,
but he began his career in opera. La Dirindina is probably
the earliest opera about opera and its dramatic construction
is way ahead of its time. La Canterina, written about
fifty years later, is Haydn's first Italian opera. Haydn wrote
some 20 operas and his more symphonic style makes an interesting
contrast with that of the earlier Italian.
Directed by Jack Edwards
Musical Director Peter Holman
Design Robin Linklater
Photographs Caroline Anderson
An exhilaratingly funny evening.....
La Dirindina...a wonderfully animated score, flying up soaring
steps of notes and down again with vastly pleasing effect
La Canterina....the music is as witty as the
words [including] a tragic aria which could have come from the
young Mozart.
Eastern Daily Press
These were two enjoyable stagings...of
works concerning the idiosyncrasies of the operatic soprano,
a subject which provides as much scope for comedy now as it
did then. Some things never change...
The translators had injected just the right balance of innuendo
and ribald humour into their English translations of the librettos.
Opera Magazine
Although the material was essentially
frivolous, it was acted with such exquisite clarity, that few
could fail to be amused...Opera Restor'd are to be applauded
for delivering convincing performances of two operas which have
been ignored for many years.
Essex County Standard
Musical Standards are crisp,
lively and well-disciplined...An enchanting double bill
The Observer
A delightful accessible entertainment
Arwel Treharne Morgan as Don Pelagio...is a gifted comedian
as well as a fine singer.
The Stage
