Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Rapid Success and a Love Affair

Donald Macleod focuses on Bellini's rapid success in the opera world and a blossoming love affair.

Bellini's success in the opera world was rapid; as a result of his student opera, he was invited to compose an opera for the Teatro San Carlo (Bianca e Fernando) which in turn led to a commission for La Scala, Milan. The resulting opera, Il Pirata, was the first to offer him international success. By the age of 27 his second commission for La Scala, La Straniera, premiered. We learn about Bellini's blossoming affair with already married Giuditta Turina. Extracts include the high tenor aria from Bianca e Fernando, and Il Pirata's mad scene. Presented by Donald Macleod.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Bianca E Fernando - A Tanto duol... Ascolta, o padre, i gemiti

    Orchestra: Massimo Theatre Orchestra. Conductor: Andrea Licata. Singer: 鞁犾榿鞓. Singer: Gregory Kunde. Singer: Aurio Tomicich. Singer: Fu Haijing. Singer: Armando Caforio.
    • NUOVA ERA : 7076-77.
    • NUOVA ERA.
    • 2.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Bianca e Fernando - A Tanto duol... Ascolta, o padre, i gemiti

    Orchestra: Massimo Theatre Orchestra. Conductor: Andrea Licata. Singer: 鞁犾榿鞓. Singer: Gregory Kunde. Singer: Aurio Tomicich. Singer: Fu Haijing. Singer: Armando Caforio.
    • NUOVA ERA : 7076-77.
    • NUOVA ERA.
    • 2.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Bianca E Fernando - A Tanto duol... Ascolta, o padre, i gemiti

    Orchestra: Massimo Theatre Orchestra. Conductor: Andrea Licata. Singer: 鞁犾榿鞓. Singer: Gregory Kunde. Singer: Aurio Tomicich. Singer: Fu Haijing. Singer: Armando Caforio.
    • NUOVA ERA : 7076-77.
    • NUOVA ERA.
    • 2.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Il Pirata - Sinfonia

    Performer: Orchestra Della Radiotelevisione Italiana. Conductor: Gianandrea Gavazzeni.
    • EMI CMS 0777 7 64169 2 2.
    • EMI CMS.
    • 1.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Il Pirata - Sinfonia

    Performer: Orchestra Della Radiotelevisione Italiana. Conductor: Gianandrea Gavazzeni.
    • EMI CMS 0777 7 64169 2 2.
    • EMI CMS.
    • 16.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Il Pirata - Sinfonia

    Performer: Orchestra Della Radiotelevisione Italiana. Conductor: Gianandrea Gavazzeni.
    • EMI CMS 0777 7 64169 2 2.
    • EMI CMS.
    • 1.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Il Pirata Act 2: Finale, including the Mad Scene Gia s鈥檃suna il gran concesso鈥h, Sole! Ti vela di tenebre oscure

    Performer: Orchestra Della Radiotelevisione Italiana. Conductor: Gianandrea Gavazzeni.
    • EMI CMS 0777 7 64169 2 2.
    • EMI CMS.
    • 16.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Il Pirata - Finale

    Performer: Orchestra Della Radiotelevisione Italiana. Conductor: Gianandrea Gavazzeni.
    • EMI CMS 0777 7 64169 2 2.
    • EMI CMS.
    • 1.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Il Pirata Act 2: Finale, including the Mad Scene Gia s鈥檃suna il gran concesso鈥h, Sole! Ti vela di tenebre oscure

    Performer: Orchestra Della Radiotelevisione Italiana. Conductor: Gianandrea Gavazzeni.
    • EMI CMS 0777 7 64169 2 2.
    • EMI CMS.
    • 16.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    La Straniera - Act 1 scene 6: Un ritratto? 鈥venturato il cor che fida

    Singer: Joan Sutherland. Singer: Richard Conrad. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Bonynge.
    • DECCA : 4783243.
    • DECCA.
    • 8.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    La Straniera - Un ritratto? ... Sventurato il cor che fida

    Singer: Joan Sutherland. Singer: Richard Conrad. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Bonynge.
    • DECCA : 4783243.
    • DECCA.
    • 8.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    La Straniera - Act 1 scene 6: Un ritratto? 鈥venturato il cor che fida

    Singer: Joan Sutherland. Singer: Richard Conrad. Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Richard Bonynge.
    • DECCA : 4783243.
    • DECCA.
    • 8.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 22 Sep 2015 12:00
  • Tue 22 Sep 2015 18:30
  • Tue 24 Oct 2017 12:00

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

Beethoven Unleashed 鈥 the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time 鈥 why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.