Dive into the enchanting world of bel canto with Cecilia Bartoli's "Maria," a captivating exploration of the extraordinary life and musical legacy of Maria Malibran, the first female superstar in music history. Released in 2007, this album is a tribute to Malibran's meteoric career and her influence on the Romantic era's most renowned composers.
"Maria" showcases Cecilia Bartoli's remarkable vocal prowess as she navigates a diverse range of musical styles and languages, including Italian, Spanish, French, and English. The album features a delightful mix of mellifluous bel canto arias, regional flavors from around the world, and even a touch of Spanish flamenco and Tyrolienne yodeling. With a duration of over an hour and a half, this album offers an immersive experience into the golden age of bel canto.
Accompanied by the talented Orchestra La Scintilla and conductor Ádám Fischer, Bartoli brings to life arias from operas by composers such as Rossini, Bellini, and Halévy, as well as lesser-known works by Pacini and Mendelssohn. The album also includes interviews with Bartoli, providing insights into Malibran's life, her family background, and her impact on the Romantic age.
Throughout the album, Bartoli's passion for Malibran's artistry shines through, making "Maria" an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection. Whether you're a longtime fan of Bartoli or new to her work, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
Irene, o L'Assedio di Messina / Act 2: "Se un mio desir... Cedi al duo!"Giovanni Pacini, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Irene, o L'Assedio di Messina / Act 2: "Ira del ciel"Giovanni Pacini, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Ines di Castro: "Cari giorni" (Romanza der Ines)Giuseppe Persiani, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Infelice, Op. 94Felix Mendelssohn, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
El poeta calculista: "Yo que soy contrabandista"Manuel Garcia, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
La sonnambula / Act 2: "Ah, non credea mirarti"Vincenzo Bellini, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
La sonnambula / Act 2: "Ah, non giunge uman pensiero"Vincenzo Bellini, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Variations on 'Tyrolienne'Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
La figlia dell'aria: "E non lo vedo... Son regina"Manuel Garcia, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
RataplanMaria Malibran, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
"Dopo tante e tante pene" (After Rossini's "Tancredi")Giovanni Pacini, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
I puritani / Act 2: "O rendetemi la speme"Vincenzo Bellini, Cecilia Bartoli, Celso Albelo, Luca Pisaroni, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
I puritani / Act 2: "Vien, diletto, è in ciel la luna"Vincenzo Bellini, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Clari: "Come dolce a me favelli"Fromental Halévy, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Amelia ovvero otto anni di costanza: "Scorrete, o lagrime"Lauro Rossi, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
"Prendi per me sei libero" (After Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'amore")Maria Malibran, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Norma / Act 1: "Casta Diva"Vincenzo Bellini, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
The Maid of Artois: Yon Moon o'er the MountainsMichael William Balfe, Cecilia Bartoli, International Chamber Soloists, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Il barbiere di Siviglia / Act 1: "Una voce poco fa"Gioachino Rossini, Cecilia Bartoli, Orchestra La Scintilla, Ádám Fischer
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: How did your fascination with Maria Malibran begin?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: What was Maria Malibran's family background?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: How did Maria Malibran represent the spirit of the Romantic age?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: What kind of life did Maria Malibran lead?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: How influential was Maria Malibran on Romantic composers?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: What was so special about Maria Malibran's voice?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: How did the public react to Maria Malibran?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: What did Maria Malibran symbolise as a female role model?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli
Cecilia Bartoli: Maria interview: If you met Maria Malibran, what would you ask her to sing?Various Artists, Cecilia Bartoli