L'Arlesiana

The titular “girl from Arles” never actually appears in Francesco Cilea's relatively obscure 1897 verismo opera—she's a faraway beauty who has infatuated young Federico, much to the distress of his mother Rosa, who wants her son to marry his foster-sister Vivetta. But she's still shown from time to time in director Rosetta Cucchi's 2013 production from the Teatro Pergolesi in Jesi, including an opening tableau. This isn't the only oddity in the staging, which occasionally features Vivetta carrying around what looks like a small terrarium (as well as portraying her disrobing in an effort to seduce Federico), and has Rosa pushing a baby carriage as she sings an aria about the demands of motherhood. Cucchi also visually italicizes Federico's descent into madness by situating the final act in an asylum. But even if it is rarely performed, L'Arlesiana is a virile, compelling work, marked by well-crafted music. Francesco Cilluffo's conducting is exciting, drawing fine playing from the Orchestra Filarmonica Marchigiana. And the singing is first class, with Dmitry Golovnin (Federico), Annunziata Vestri (Rosa), and Mariangela Sicilia (Vivetta) all providing accurate, dramatic vocalism. Overall, this production—which includes an aria for Federico (“Una mattina”) that was cut after the premiere and only recovered in 2011—may be considered provincial, but it makes a strong case for a neglected opera that deserves rediscovery. Presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1 and PCM stereo on Blu-ray, this is highly recommended. (F. Swietek)