ADRIANA LECOUVREUR Favero, Filacuridi, Nicolai (1950) (CD)

Mafalda Favero was one of Italy’s most celebrated singers, and an inspiration to many of her successors. She was particularly effective in the verismo operas of Mascagni and Puccini and thus brings to Adriana Lecouvreur a wealth of stylistic authority. Though made relatively late in her career, this 1950 commercial recording of Cilèa’s best-known opera finds Favero in fine vocal form and in full command of the opera’s theatrical demands. Tenor Nicola Filacuridi and mezzo-soprano Elena Nicolai contribute compelling performances; conducted by Federico del Cupolo.
[2004, Mono, 2-CD, 131 minutes]

ADRIANA LECOUVREUR
Opera in Four Acts
Music by Francesco Cilèa
Libretto by Arturo Colautti,
based on the drama Adrienne Lecouvreur by Eugène Scribe and Ernest Legouvé

Cast:
Adriana Lecouvreur - Mafalda Favero
Maurizio - Nicola Filacuridi
La Principessa di Bouillon - Elena Nicolai
Il Principe di Bouillon - Giannetto Zini
Michonnet - Luigi Borgonovo
L'Abate di Chazeuli - Gino Del Signore

Orchestra e Coro dell'Opera Italiana
Federico Del Cupolo, conductor
(Recorded Milan, 1950)