Brno

Torvaldo e Dorliska was Rossini's 16th opera, premiered in Rome in December, 1815, two months after Elisabetta… and two months before Barbiere. It has an odd tone–it's a so-called "rescue opera". The plot concerns the eponymous hero and heroine, who are married. The evil Duke loves Dorliska and attacks the couple on their wedding day and leaves Torvaldo for dead. Dorliska runs away but winds up (unknowingly) taking refuge at the Duke's castle and is imprisoned. When Torvaldo finds his way there he attempts to rescue her, but he also is taken prisoner. The Duke's embittered henchman, Giorgio (a comic role), helps the couple. The villagers rise up and the Duke is punished, while our heroes live happily.

Douglas Knehans (b.1957) - Concertos - Filharmonie Bohuslava Martinů, Filharmonie Brno (2015) {Ablaze ar00022 Digital Download}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44kHz - Official Digital Download (qobuz.com) -> 283 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 150 Mb
Full Artwork (jpg+pdf) -> 15 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2015 Ablaze Records | ar-00022
Classical / Modern Classical / Neo-Romantic / Post-Modern

This is music of tremendous imagination. Knehans scores with a masterly hand, his sound paintbrush unerringly hitting the mark. The orchestral writing is magnificent (and beautifully realized here). All credit to the virtuosity of the Brno Philharmonic and the expert ear of their conductor, Mikel Toms, for delivering such a razor-sharp performance. A fascinating disc.