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Ermonela Jaho|Leoncavallo: Zazà

Leoncavallo: Zazà

Ermonela Jaho, Riccardo Massi, Stephen Gaertner, Patricia Bardon, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Maurizio Benini

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The Opera Rara label devotes itself to just what the name says, not only recording rare operas, but also mounting them in well-financed productions. They've excavated works that promise to reshape the operatic repertory some, and so it may be with this work by Ruggero Leoncavallo, which he preferred to the ubiquitous I Pagliacci. It offers a pure verismo story, featuring the titular character, a French music-hall singer who gets involved in a doomed affair with a married Parisian businessman. There is an extra level of verismo involved: Leoncavallo himself worked in music halls as a young man, and the opera rolls along at a good clip in the first act with plenty of colorful atmosphere and music. Leoncavallo wrote the libretto himself. Zazà was a success at first, but has rarely been staged since the 1920s, probably because it makes substantial demands on its lead soprano both dramatically and technically. The good news here is that soprano Ermonela Jaho succeeds on both counts. Her voice is a powerhouse, but her real accomplishment is that you care about Zazà as she meets her lover's child, realizes what he is, and resolves to break the cycle she has experienced in her own life. Her supporting cast is strong; you can sample the ensemble "Su Zazà" for a taste of the energy that attracted audiences in previous live performances of this production. Opera Rara offers a clean studio recording here, which is all to the good. Recommended even to those who think they've heard enough verismo opera.

© TiVo

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Leoncavallo: Zazà

Ermonela Jaho

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1
Zazà, Act 1: Introduzione
Maurizio Benini
00:01:59

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Fflur Wyn, Soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

2
Zazà, Act 1: "Brava! Brava!" (Bussy, Courtois, Floriana, Duclou)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:09

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Simon Thorpe, Baritone Vocals - Nicky Spence, Tenor Vocals - Fflur Wyn, Soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

3
Zazà, Act 1: "Stasera sono in voce!" (Courtois, Floriana, Duclou)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:40

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Simon Thorpe, Baritone Vocals - Nicky Spence, Tenor Vocals - Fflur Wyn, Soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

4
Zazà, Act 1: "Salute, ragazzi" (Zaza, Cascart, Bussy, Duclou)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:40

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Simon Thorpe, Baritone Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

5
Zazà, Act 1: "Buona sera, mia Zazà!" (Zaza, Cascart)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:00

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

6
Zazà, Act 1: "Lo sai tu che vuol dire un uom che fugge" (Zaza)
Maurizio Benini
00:02:04

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

7
Zazà, Act 1: "Tu sei buona" (Zaza, Cascart)
Maurizio Benini
00:00:47

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

8
Zazà, Act 1: "Augusto, buona sera!" (Zaza, Anaide, Natalia, Duclou, Enrico)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:56

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Simon Thorpe, Baritone Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Christopher Turner, Tenor Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

9
Zazà, Act 1: "Ah! Ah! Ahi, la, la!" (Zaza, Milio, Cascart, Bussy, Courtois, Duclou)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:24

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Simon Thorpe, Baritone Vocals - Nicky Spence, Tenor Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

10
Zazà, Act 1: "Ebben, Zazà?" (Zaza, Milio, Cascart, Bussy, Courtois, Duclou)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:19

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Simon Thorpe, Baritone Vocals - Nicky Spence, Tenor Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

11
Zazà, Act 1: "Un uomo sol restavaci" (Zaza, Cascart, Bussy, Floriana)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:45

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals - Fflur Wyn, Soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

12
Zazà, Act 1: "Dufresne, contarvene voglio una bella" (Milio, Bussy)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:19

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

13
Zazà, Act 1: "È un riso gentile" (Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:02:14

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

14
Zazà, Act 1: "Allor tutto va bene!" (Milio, Bussy, Courtois)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:15

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Nicky Spence, Tenor Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

15
Zazà, Act 1: "Non so capir perché se m'ami tu" (Zaza, Cascart)
Maurizio Benini
00:00:57

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

16
Zazà, Act 1: "Ma bravi! Che delizia!" (Zaza, Cascart, Bussy, Courtois)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:10

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Nicky Spence, Tenor Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

17
Zazà, Act 1: "Signore, entrate" (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:25

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

18
Zazà, Act 1: "Ripetiamo ... ma prima vo' cambiar veste" (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:36

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

19
Zazà, Act 1: "Vi duole?" (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:02:16

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

20
Zazà, Act 1: "Su Zazà!" (Zaza, Cascart, Bussy)
Maurizio Benini
00:00:36

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - David Stout, Baritone Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

21
Zazà, Act 1: "A te, Cascart" (Zaza, Milio, Cascart, Duclou)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:31

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Simon Thorpe, Baritone Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

22
Zazà, Act 2: "tu parti per questo gran viaggio? " (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:00

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

23
Zazà, Act 2: "Zazà, Zazà, non ti attristare" (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:08

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

24
Zazà, Act 2: "Or tempo e baci per guadagnare" (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:02:39

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

25
Zazà, Act 2: "Fa presto, Natalia!" (Zaza, Natalia)
Maurizio Benini
00:02:25

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

26
Zazà, Act 2: "Ecco gli stivaletti, signora" (Zaza, Anaide, Natalia)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:30

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

27
Zazà, Act 2: "Zazà!" (Zaza, Anaide, Natalia)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:29

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

28
Zazà, Act 2: "Ehm! Ehm!" (Cascart, Anaide)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:34

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

29
Zazà, Act 2: "Ah, ah, ah! Che quadretto!" (Zaza, Anaide)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:36

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

30
Zazà, Act 2: "Cascart, mio camerata" (Zaza, Cascart)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:27

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

31
Zazà, Act 2: "Buona Zazà" (Zaza, Cascart)
Maurizio Benini
00:05:59

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

32
Zazà, Act 2: "A Parigi una sera" (Zaza, Cascart, Anaide)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:55

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

DISC 2

1
Zazà, Act 3: "Ah! Perche soletta sei laggiù?" (Anaide)
Maurizio Benini
00:02:59

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

2
Zazà, Act 3: "O mio piccolo tavolo" (Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:04:53

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

3
Zazà, Act 3: "Ecomi pronta, Milio" (Milio, Un Tavernier)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:52

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals - Edward Goater, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

4
Zazà, Act 3: "Lei dunque è la signora Dunoyer?" (Zaza, Un Tavernier)
Maurizio Benini
00:00:49

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Edward Goater, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

5
Zazà, Act 3: "Qual turbamento!" (Zaza, Natalia)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:14

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

6
Zazà, Act 3: "Signora, buona signora" (Zaza, Natalia)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:42

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

7
Zazà, Act 3: "Signorina, vi abbiamo spaurita?" (Zaza, Toto, Natalia)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:09

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Julia Ferri, Actor

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

8
Zazà, Act 3: "Mamma usciva di casa" (Zaza, Toto)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:59

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Julia Ferri, Actor

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

9
Zazà, Act 3: "È nita!" (Zaza, Toto)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:41

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Julia Ferri, Actor

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

10
Zazà, Act 3: "È mammà" (Zaza, Toto, Natalia)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:22

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Julia Ferri, Actor

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

11
Zazà, Act 4: "Così, nessuna nuova?" (Anaide, Courtois)
Maurizio Benini
00:02:41

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Nicky Spence, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

12
Zazà, Act 4: "Figliuola mia!" (Zaza, Cascart, Anaide)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:28

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Patricia Bardon, Mezzo-soprano Vocals - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

13
Zazà, Act 4: "Zazà, piccola zingara" (Zaza, Cascart)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:47

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

14
Zazà, Act 4: "Che? ... Non vorresti farlo?" (Zaza, Cascart)
Maurizio Benini
00:01:39

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Stephen Gaertner, Baritone Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

15
Zazà, Act 4: "Per buona sorte tutto è a suo posto" (Zaza, Milio, Natalia)
Maurizio Benini
00:05:28

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals - Kathryn Rudge, Mezzo-soprano Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

16
Zazà, Act 4: "Che notizie mi porti da Parigi?" (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:02:17

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

17
Zazà, Act 4: "Ebbene si, so tutto!" (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:32

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

18
Zazà, Act 4: "Zazà, tu mi rimproveri" (Zaza, Milio)
Maurizio Benini
00:03:58

Ruggero Leoncavallo, Composer - BBC Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra - Maurizio Benini, Conductor, MainArtist - Ermonela Jaho, Soprano Vocals - Riccardo Massi, Tenor Vocals

© 2016 Opera Rara ℗ 2016 Opera Rara

Album review

The Opera Rara label devotes itself to just what the name says, not only recording rare operas, but also mounting them in well-financed productions. They've excavated works that promise to reshape the operatic repertory some, and so it may be with this work by Ruggero Leoncavallo, which he preferred to the ubiquitous I Pagliacci. It offers a pure verismo story, featuring the titular character, a French music-hall singer who gets involved in a doomed affair with a married Parisian businessman. There is an extra level of verismo involved: Leoncavallo himself worked in music halls as a young man, and the opera rolls along at a good clip in the first act with plenty of colorful atmosphere and music. Leoncavallo wrote the libretto himself. Zazà was a success at first, but has rarely been staged since the 1920s, probably because it makes substantial demands on its lead soprano both dramatically and technically. The good news here is that soprano Ermonela Jaho succeeds on both counts. Her voice is a powerhouse, but her real accomplishment is that you care about Zazà as she meets her lover's child, realizes what he is, and resolves to break the cycle she has experienced in her own life. Her supporting cast is strong; you can sample the ensemble "Su Zazà" for a taste of the energy that attracted audiences in previous live performances of this production. Opera Rara offers a clean studio recording here, which is all to the good. Recommended even to those who think they've heard enough verismo opera.

© TiVo

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