Carlo Pagliai

Bianca e Fernando, commissioned for the inauguration of the Carlo Felice Theatre in 1828, was composed at the start of Bellini’s career as one of the most important opera composers of the 19th century.

The discovery of the inventory of an extraordinary collection of music from the late seventeenth century has made it possible to track down a previously unknown work by Stradella: Amare e fingere (Loving and feigning), composed in Rome, but performed in Siena in 1676.

The discovery of the inventory of an extraordinary collection of music from the late seventeenth century has made it possible to track down a previously unknown work by Stradella: Amare e fingere (Loving and feigning), composed in Rome, but performed in Siena in 1676.

Bianca e Fernando, commissioned for the inauguration of the Carlo Felice Theatre in 1828, was composed at the start of Bellini’s career as one of the most important opera composers of the 19th century. The superb music for this dramatic story of filial love, wicked intrigues and triumph over tyranny was received with the ‘jubilation and admiration of the citizens of Genoa’ and greatly admired by the likes of Donizetti, earning Bellini recognition throughout Italy and beyond. This acclaimed first modern performance brings to light precious lost pages of music, reviving the original ‘splendid celebration’ of its premiere.

First performed in French at the Paris Opera in 1867, Don Carlo is in many ways an amazingly innovative work. The opera seems to underline Verdi's shift from the Manichean division between good and evil, which had been a clear, structural element of his dramaturgy up to that point in his career. In this opera, Verdi assembles all his mainstay music theatre themes: power, with its honors and burdens; the contrasts of impossible love; the conflict between father and son; and an oppressed people demanding freedom. Verdi radically revised the score in 1883, using an Italian libretto and reducing the opera from five acts to four. The popularity of Don Carlo has grown unremittingly ever since, with today's critics almost unanimously recognizing it as one of Verdi's greatest masterpieces, an opera that continues to reveal new gems. Daniel Oren is fully in control on the podium, ensuring unanimity between orchestra and singers. The Maestro softens teh dark tones of the score, which are well reflected in the visuals, choosing instead to emphasize the various changes of mood.

Harmonia mundi is proud to welcome the exceptional countertenor Carlo Vistoli as a new exclusive artist.

To celebrate the 225th anniversary of Gaetano Donizetti’s birth, Opera Rara has restored L’esule di Roma (1828), an opera which is considered a milestone in the composer’s illustrious career.

Harmonia mundi is proud to welcome the exceptional countertenor Carlo Vistoli as a new exclusive artist.

June 14th 2025 marks the twentieth anniversary of Carlo Maria Giulini’s passing (which we celebrated with a comprehensive CD-boxset, released June 6th).

June 14th 2025 marks the twentieth anniversary of Carlo Maria Giulini’s passing (which we celebrated with a comprehensive CD-boxset, released June 6th).