Cleopatra

Lauro Rossi (1812–1885) is hardly a household name among 19th-century Italian composers (his works are rarely performed), so aficionados will welcome this 2008 production of his penultimate 1876 opera mounted at the Sferisterio Opera Festival in Macerata (Rossi's hometown). The libretto offers a fanciful take on the romance between the titular Egyptian queen and Marc Antony, in which the Roman travels to Italy while promising to return, but instead agrees to a political marriage with the sister of his rival, Octavian. Cleopatra, who journeys to Rome to find him, fails in an attempt to kill Antony's new wife, and the last act finds the lovers back in Alexandria after their defeat at the battle of Actium, ending with their deaths. Although not terribly distinctive, Rossi's score is well crafted and full-bodied, offering the principals several opportunities to shine, while David Crescenzi secures rich playing from the Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana. Although Dimitra Theodossiou isn't the loveliest Cleopatra, she has a powerful voice and makes the most of her big moments. As Antony, Alessandro Liberatore isn't quite in the same league, and the supporting vocalists are less sure in this rather sparse production. But this is essentially a respectable presentation of an obscure work, and a useful introduction to one of the many lesser lights who labored in Verdi's shadow. Presented in DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital stereo, this is recommended, overall. (F. Swietek)