(Credit: Gianfranco Rota)

This week, the Donizetti Opera Festival is set to open with the composer’s final work, one that has been rarely heard. Major sopranos have performed the work, and this revival will feature a major Bel Canto specialist.

Carmela Remigio, who has become one of the festival’s mainstays, is one of the world’s most celebrated bel canto interpreters, singing works by Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini. With “Caterina Cornaro,” Remigio returns to Donizetti. Over the years, the soprano has performed the complete Tudor trilogy, singing not only the title roles but the roles of Elisabetta in “Maria Stuarda” and Seymour in “Anna Bolena.” She has also sung the rarely performed “Il castello di Kenilworth,” also a Tudor work. In addition, Remigio has been acclaimed in “Belisario” and for her “Lucrezia Borgia” with OperaWire noting, “she is one of the most expressive singers performing today and one that transforms into any role that she sings.”

Now, as Caterina Cornaro, Remigio gets to bring Donizetti’s final work to the festival, showcasing another one of Donizetti’s famed queen operas.

For those not in Bergamo, the opera will be streamed on the company’s platform.

Recordings 

For those interested in seeing more of Remigio, the soprano has recordings of “Belisario,” “Lucrezia Borgia,” and “Il Castello di Kenilworth.” There is also a recent recording of “Anna Bolena” where Remigio portrays Jane Seymour.

Here is a clip of “Belisario” and “Anna Bolena:”