Bellini Bianca e Fernando Hugo de Ana

Vincenzo Bellini was among the most important Italian opera composers of the early 19th century, and the quintessential representative of its bel canto tradition. Despite his enduring renown, his official operatic début Bianca e Gernando was known only in its revised version of Bianca e Fernando until this rediscovery and revival at Bad Wildbad in July 2016. Set in the ducal palace of Agrigento and with its tale of secretive plots and triumph over tyranny, this original version of the opera presents both unknown music and significant differences from the revised version, giving its dramatic shape a distinctive new character.

Nuova Era Internazionale is proud to present the first edition of the original version, the only available on the market. The live performance recorded in the Theatre Bellini in Catania is conducted by Andrea Licata. Bianca e Fernando was one of Bellini's best success when it was first performed in 1826 and further revised in 1828, its popularity never arose in the following years and it remains probably the less performed opera among the ten completed by the Sicilian composer. Bellini was only 25 years old when he completed it for the Theatre San Carlo in Naples where it was performed with the name Bianca e Gernando.