Giovanna D'Arco: Dramma Lirico in Four Acts by Temistocle Solera (Works of Giuseppe Verdi Series 1: Operas) Book

Giovanna dâ??Arco (Joan of Arc), Verdiâ??s seventh opera, premiered at La Scala in 1845 to great public success despite sub-par production standards, and modern performances have swept away both audiences and critical reservations when the work is executed with faithfulness to his score. At the heart of this large-scale opera, with its prominent choruses, is the difficult and beautiful part of Joanâ??simultaneously ethereal soprano and dynamic warrior. The libretto by Temistocle Solera, based in part on Schillerâ??s play Die Jungfrau von Orleans, omits Joanâ??s trial for heresy and burning at the stake, ending instead with an offstage battle in which she is mortally wounded leading the French to victory against the English.                        This critical edition of Giovanna dâ??Arco, the first publication in full score, is based on the composerâ??s autograph score preserved in the archives of Verdiâ??s publisher, Casa Ricordi. It restores the operaâ??s original text, which had been heavily censored, and accurately reflects Verdiâ??s colorful and elaborate musical setting. Editor Alberto Rizzutiâ??s introduction discusses the operaâ??s origins, sources, and performance questions, while the critical commentary details editorial problems and solutions.Read More