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Maestro Excitement

Donald Macleod explains how Donizetti consolidated his success in Naples and reached new heights with the first of the 'Three Queens' operas, Anna Bolena.

Gaetano Donizetti composed almost 70 operas in 19th-century Italy, the age of the impresario, the prima donna and the star tenor. Donald Macleod traces his extraordinary life.

Gaetano Donizetti had made his mark on Italian opera at the age of only 24 with the triumphant premiere of his opera Zoraida di Granata in Rome. The next phase of his career would see him consolidate his success in Naples, and reach new heights with the first of what would later be called the 'Three Queens' operas about the Tudors and the Stuarts. Featuring recordings by Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti and Renee Fleming.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Lucrezia Borgia - Act 2 Finale

    Orchestra: St Luke's Orchestra. Choir: Florence Maggio Musicale Chorus. Singer: Renée Fleming. Conductor: Patrick Summers.
    • Decca: 467101-2.
    • Decca.
    • 19.
  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Quartet no. 16 in B minor for strings

    Performer: Angela East. Ensemble: The Revolutionary Drawing-Room. Performer: Peter Collyer. Performer: Adrian Butterfield.
    • CPO : 999-282 2.
    • CPO.
    • 1.
  • Gaetano Donizetti

    Anna Bolena - Act 1 In Separato

    Orchestra: London S O.. Singer: Patricia Kern. Singer: Beverly Sills. Singer: Stuart Burrows. Singer: Paul Plishka. Singer: Shirley Verrett. Singer: Robert Lloyd.
    • Brilliant Classics: 93924.
    • 10.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 16 Sep 2014 12:00
  • Tue 16 Sep 2014 18:30

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