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If you're looking for something other than yet another Mozart recording, Opera Rara's new highlights CD of Paer's Sofonisba might be for you. As with their recent release of Pacini pieces, this is a fresh and rewarding delve into the treasure trove of forgotten works. With Sofonisba, this enterprising label, who specialise in rare 19th Century operas, deserve to have another hit on their hands.
Ferdinando Paer was born in Parma in 1771 and he had a prolific career until his death in 1839. Along the way, he was court composer to Napoleon and later singing-teacher to the restored French royal family. So, he knew some success in his lifetime and, with music of the quality on this CD, it's very surprising that we hardly know of him now.
Stendhal, no less, described Paer as a composer who filled the "interregnum" between Cimarosa and Rossini. For most of us, it might be clearer to think of the gap between Mozart and Rossini, and Paer musically looks back to the one and forward to the other. While he may not be either of those musical giants, he was clearly a talented composer, who deserves as much recognition as say Salieri, quite a few recordings of whose works have been available for years.
The opera seria Sofonisba dates from 1805 and is based on fact but, like most opera libretti, doesn't pay too much heed to historical accuracy. It tells the story of the beautiful daughter of the Carthaginian general Hasdrubal, which had been the subject of innumerable operas before Paer.
The synopsis will sound familiar - love rivalry amid the clamour of the Punic Wars, betrayal, attempted suicide and a happy conclusion. Sofonisba doesn't poison herself, as she did in real life and earlier versions, because her servant switches the potion for a harmless draught and all ends in joy, the main protagonist reconciled with her husband.
The music for Sofonisba is of a high quality and bears repeated listenings. This is subtle music with little in the way of fireworks - you keep expecting it to burst into Rossiniesque exuberance but it never quite does - but that's not to say it's lacking in inventiveness. The lovely vocal lines are supported by delicate and gentle accompaniments, best illustrated in Massinissa's early aria "Amo un volto lusinghiero" and the beautiful blending of female voices in "Una soava calma". The arioso "Che Lessi? Oh Dio" from towards the end of the opera, with chromatic accompaniment on the violins, is very moving.
Paer gave the lead role, the beautiful Sofonisba, to a mezzo and her would-be lover, Massinissa King of Numidia to a soprano, which is unexpected but highly effective. Rebecca Evans is outstanding in the latter role and Jennifer Larmore brings beauty of tone and expressiveness to the eponymous heroine.
Paul Nilon is effective in the tenor role of Siface and baritone Mirco Palazzi lends strong support as Scipione, the roman consul. Fans of Lucy Crowe or Colin Lee should beware of buying this CD expecting to hear them as, although they are credited in the booklet, they don't make it to the final cut, other than in ensemble.
The sound quality is excellent and conductor Marco Guidarini directs a sensitive performance by the Philharmonia Orchestra.
At 73 minutes, this is a generous selection from the opera and I hope sales will be good enough to persuade Opera Rara to produce other and complete works by Paer. I'd highly recommend Sofonisba to anyone feeling a little adventurous and looking for something refreshingly different.
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