Bellini's Beatrice di Tenda
Daniel Schmid (stage director), Marcello Viotti (conductor) – With Edita Gruberova (Beatrice di Tenda), Michael Volle (Filippo Maria Visconti) – Zurich Opera House
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Cast
Daniel Schmid — Stage director
Bernhard Kleber — Set designer
Florence von Gerkan — Costume designer
Jürgen Hoffmann — Lighting
Enrico Cacciari — Music consultant
Hervé Mahé — Music consultant
Barbara Klimo — Choreographer
Edita Gruberova — Beatrice di Tenda
Michael Volle — Filippo Maria Visconti
Stefania Kaluza — Agnese del Maino
Raúl Hernández — Orombello
Miroslav Christoff — Anichino
Bogusław Bidziński — Rizzardo del Maino
Zurich Opera House Orchestra
Zurich Opera Chorus
Ernst Raffelsberger — Chorus direction
Program notes
At the Zurich Opera House, Vincenzo Bellini's Beatrice di Tenda is directed by Daniel Schmid, with Marcello Viotti as Music Director, Edita Gruberova as Beatrice di Tenda and Michael Volle as Filippo Maria Visconti.
Inspired by events of the 15th century, Vincenzo Bellini's opera Beatrice di Tenda, based on a libretto by Felice Romani and premiered in Venice in 1833, tells the story of Beatrice di Tenda, widow of the former Duke of Milan, who regrets her second marriage of convenience to Filippo Maria Visconti, having inherited the armies and title of the late Duke of Milan. Filippo Visconti, tired of his wife, has her accused of infidelity and treason, in order to get rid of her with the help of Agnes, a woman he himself covets. Having to face justice, then condemned to execution, Beatrice agrees to die an innocent woman, while Agnès, overcome with remorse, begs her forgiveness on the scaffold.
Amid the intertwining of love, plots and the question of betrayal, the figure of a tragic heroine emerges, and Edita Gruberova's remarkable performance enhances the drama of the story. Vincenzo Bellini's Beatrice di Tenda is a score of poignant music and themes.
