Abstract
Il pirata was Vincenzo Bellini’s artistic breakthrough. Bellini, then 25, had already had some initial success in Naples, and was commissioned to write an opera for Milan’s La Scala theater. The result was Il pirata, which premiered in 1827 and was an immediate hit. Bellini chose Charles Robert Maturin’s gothic thriller as his literary basis, with cruel male rivalries and a gruesome fate awaiting its ethereal female figures, all set in the shadows of the nighttime. It would prove to be a selection that gave the audience exactly what it wanted. Imogene, the soprano role, is a clear predecessor of Donizetti's more famous Lucia of the Lammermoor.
The action takes place in Bellini's homeland, Sicily: Gualtiero, who had to flee for political reasons and has since been living as a pirate, is shipwrecked and recognizes his rescuer Imogene as his former lover. But Imogene has married Gualtiero's mortal enemy Ernesto during his absence. In the fight between the two rivals, Gualtiero kills Ernesto. When Gulatiero is condemned to death for the act, Imogene goes mad. Bellini not only created the prototype of the romantic opera with his choice of subject matter, but also introduced a new, lyrical musical tone with his sweeping melodic arcs. Moreover, the main characters in this opera already form the triangular constellation, so fundamental in Verdi's work, between the soprano and tenor lovers and the baritone as troublesome third.
Our concert performance will feature Andrew Owens as the pirate Gualtiero. The role of Imogene will be performed by coloratura soprano Irina Lungu, who presented herself last season as Lucia di Lammermoor in Zurich. Ensemble member Konstantin Shushakov will appear as Ernesto.