Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

The Art of Recycling

Donald Macleod explains how Bellini turned his failed opera Zaira into success by recycling material in his reworking of the Romeo and Juliet story: I Capuleti e I Montecchi.

Bellini's opera Zaira was nearly left unperformed due to his librettist Felice Romani refusing to shave his moustache, then considered illegal by the local Palma authorities! Though the opera was a failure, Bellini was able to recycle the best material for his new reworking of the Romeo and Juliet story: I Capuleti e I Montecchi, which went on to be a great success. We learn about the beginnings of his ill health that recurred throughout his short lifetime, and hear four of his songs. Presented by Donald Macleod.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Zaira - Act 1 Aria: Amo ed amato io sono

    Performer: Philharmonia Orchestra. Performer: Geoffrey Mitchell Choir. Conductor: David Parry. Singer: Yvonne Kenny. Singer: Lynne Dawson.
    • OPERA RARA : orch-104 a/c.
    • OPERA RARA.
    • 2.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Zaira - final act (extract)

    Performer: Philharmonia Orchestra. Performer: Geoffrey Mitchell Choir. Conductor: David Parry. Singer: Yvonne Kenny. Singer: Lynne Dawson.
    • OPERA RARA : orch-104 a/c.
    • OPERA RARA.
    • 2.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Zaira - Act 1 Aria: Amo ed amato io sono

    Performer: Philharmonia Orchestra. Performer: Geoffrey Mitchell Choir. Conductor: David Parry. Singer: Yvonne Kenny. Singer: Lynne Dawson.
    • OPERA RARA : orch-104 a/c.
    • OPERA RARA.
    • 2.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Ma Rendi Pur Contento - Arietta For Voice And Piano [no.6 Of "6 Ariette Da Camer

    Performer: Miguel Zanetti. Singer: Montserrat Caball茅.
    • FORLANE UCD 10.902.
    • FORLANE UCD.
    • 6.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Ma Rendi Pur Contento - Arietta For Voice And Piano [no.6 Of "6 Ariette Da Camer

    Performer: Miguel Zanetti. Singer: Montserrat Caball茅.
    • FORLANE UCD 10.902.
    • FORLANE UCD.
    • 6.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    L' Allegro Marinaro - Ballata For Voice And Piano

    Performer: Miguel Zanetti. Singer: Montserrat Caball茅.
    • FORLANE UCD 10.902.
    • FORLANE UCD.
    • 18.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    L' Allegro marinaro

    Performer: Miguel Zanetti. Singer: Montserrat Caball茅.
    • FORLANE UCD 10.902.
    • FORLANE UCD.
    • 18.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    L' Allegro Marinaro - Ballata For Voice And Piano

    Performer: Miguel Zanetti. Singer: Montserrat Caball茅.
    • FORLANE UCD 10.902.
    • FORLANE UCD.
    • 18.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Malinconia, Ninfa Gentile - Arietta For Voice And Piano [no.1 Of "6 Ariette Da C

    Performer: James Levine. Singer: Cecilia Bartoli.
    • DECCA : 455 513-2-.
    • DECCA.
    • 7.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Malinconia, ninfa gentile

    Performer: James Levine. Singer: Cecilia Bartoli.
    • DECCA : 455 513-2-.
    • DECCA.
    • 7.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    Malinconia, Ninfa Gentile - Arietta For Voice And Piano [no.1 Of "6 Ariette Da C

    Performer: James Levine. Singer: Cecilia Bartoli.
    • DECCA : 455 513-2-.
    • DECCA.
    • 7.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    L' Abbandono - Romanza Act 2 finale: Deserto e il luogo鈥 Ah, crudel! Che mai facesti?

    Performer: James Levine. Singer: Cecilia Bartoli.
    • DECCA : 455 513-2-.
    • DECCA.
    • 5.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    L' Abbandono

    Performer: James Levine. Singer: Cecilia Bartoli.
    • DECCA : 455 513-2-.
    • DECCA.
    • 5.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    L' Abbandono - Romanza Act 2 finale: Deserto e il luogo鈥 Ah, crudel! Che mai facesti?

    Performer: James Levine. Singer: Cecilia Bartoli.
    • DECCA : 455 513-2-.
    • DECCA.
    • 5.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    I Capuleti Ed I Montecchi - Opera

    Orchestra: Vienna S O.. Conductor: Fabio Luisi. Singer: Anna Netrebko. Singer: El墨na Garan膷a.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 477-8031.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 7.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    I Capuleti ed i Montecchi (Act 2) finale

    Orchestra: Vienna S O.. Conductor: Fabio Luisi. Singer: Anna Netrebko. Singer: El墨na Garan膷a.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 477-8031.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 7.
  • Vincenzo Bellini

    I Capuleti Ed I Montecchi - Opera

    Orchestra: Vienna S O.. Conductor: Fabio Luisi. Singer: Anna Netrebko. Singer: El墨na Garan膷a.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 477-8031.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 7.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 23 Sep 2015 12:00
  • Wed 23 Sep 2015 18:30
  • Wed 25 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.