The Puritans by Bellini, Pk 28 jūn 2019, No (2019/2019), Režisēja Vincent Boussard, Diriģents Speranza Scappucci, Théâtre Royal de Liège, Liège, Belgium

Under the terrible dictatorship of Cromwell, in England in the 17th century, the Puritans advocated an austere way of life, turned to the Bible. The story of a love born in contrary winds offers Bellini a subject certainly conducive to the exploitation of the springs of the nascent romantic opera, but above all allows the exploitation of the various human passions. Elvira 's scene of madness will be matched only by that of Lucia di Lammermoor , exactly contemporary. Based on a true story, Bellini's last work was composed slowly, over nine months. The master corrected the libretto and reworked the music on Rossini's advice. The creation, at the Théâtre-Italien in Paris, was a triumph. I Puritani demands an exceptional cast. The vocal quartet, originally made up of Grisi, Rubini, Tamburini and Lablache, is subjected to the most perilous airs of the Belcantist repertoire. Their success was at the origin of the nickname of Quatuor des Puritans which has remained famous until today. But between cavatines and cabalettes, the composer, king of melody and sweetness, has some of the most beautiful arias of Italian opera in store for us!