Suor Angelica used to be very much the neglected element of Puccini's Triptych. Now that it has recently gained in popularity its great qualities have at last been revealed.
This very promising programme by the LSO and Sir Antonio Pappano contains not just Puccini's early Preludio Sinfonico, but also a composition by the great conductor Victor de Sabata, entitled Juventus (Youth). As a conductor de Sabata is of historic importance because of his years running La Scala, Milan, and his still-classic recording of Tosca made there in 1953 with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano and Tito Gobbi.
Most of the cast members are newcomers to Scotland. However there is one notable exception. The veteran Italian mezzo Elena Zilio has, in recent years, made several appearances at Covent Garden, in such character parts as Mamma Lucia (Cavalleria rusticana) and Madelon (Andrea Chénier). However, rather earlier in her career, she came to the Edinburgh Festival as a member of the company from the Teatro Massimo, Palermo. She sang beautifully as Isoletta in Bellini's little known La straniera, the title role being taken by the great Renata Scotto. This was in 1972! The foltowing summer she sang at the Verona Arena as Musetta in La bohème, in a cast that also included Renata Scotto and Luciano Pavarotti.
The LSO and Pappano are also performing Suor Angelica at the BBC Proms in London three days later on 19 August, which will no doubt be broadcast live. The orchestra's own chorus and Tiffin Choir will take over from the Scottish residents, but the soloists appear to be the same.
© Copyright Opera Scotland 2025
Site by SiteBuddha