**** Opera Rara is a record label that specializes in bringing forgotten or little-known works to the attention of the public. For a long time, the bel canto period has been its main domain, unearthing neglected works from that era. Numerous rarely or never performed operas by Donizetti and Rossini have been released on CD, as well as works by less popular composers such as Mercadante, Paer or Mayr. With their latest recording, their territory even shifts towards verismo, as their recent release is Le Willis by Giacomo Puccini.
Puccini composed Le Willis as the culmination of his conservatory studies. He entered it in an opera competition for one-act works organized by the Milanese music publisher Sonzogno. But Puccini does not win a prize. Allegedly because the jury could not decipher the manuscript – Puccini had indeed worked in haste. He nevertheless succeeds in having it performed, with the help of the librettist Ferdinando Fontana and Arrigo Boito. On May 31, 1884, Le Willis enjoys a tremendous success at the Teatro dal Verme in Milan.
The opera attracts the attention of that other great music publisher, Ricordi, and he wants to publish the opera, but asks Puccini for modifications. Puccini writes a grand aria for the soprano and for the tenor and makes further adjustments to Roberto's scene. The additional arias that Puccini wrote have been added as an appendix in the Opera Rara recording. A good thing, because they sound in their dramatic power like Puccini at his best.
Forget-me-nots
The story is simple and mixes fairy-tale elements with mysterious ones in a romantic atmosphere. The Willis are the spirits of young women who died prematurely and take revenge on unfaithful husbands for the abandoned brides. The opera is set in the Black Forest and begins at the engagement party of Roberto and Anna. Roberto leaves her to collect an inheritance from a wealthy relative and Anna gives him a posy of forget-me-nots. Roberto swears her eternal fidelity. But Roberto leads a dissolute life in Mainz and forgets Anna, who dies of heartbreak. He falls under the spell of the Willis and is abandoned by a seductive woman. Remorseful, he returns to his native village, where the Willis, led by Anna, take revenge on him and drag him into their deadly dance. Only then is he reunited with Anna.
There are only three characters: the couple Anna and Roberto and Anna's father. The Willis are played by the choir. The characterization makes clear from this first opera what Puccini has in store. More important to Puccini than the thin plot is the lover's betrayal through his relationship with a distant demonic woman and Anna's revenge. He portrays a loving, magical Anna, a blustering, remorseful Roberto and a tender father Guglielmo. Anna is thus immediately the prototype of Puccini's women: innocent victim like Mimi, Liu, Butterfly, faithful to her love unto death. Roberto is the most developed character with in his final aria a variety of feelings: fear, despair, remorse, amorous passion, religious fervor. The psychological development of the characters and the atmosphere creation (the dance of the Willis, the bells of the angelus) make this short work definitely worth getting to know.
Brian Mulligan embodies with his warm baritone a tender father figure. Ermonela Jaho sings as Anna with pure and high soprano both her passionate love and her tragic fate as a victim. Especially the extra romanza Se come voi piccina io fossi is a moving piece of music, as you can discover for yourself below. Arsen Soghomonyan sings Roberto with clear and compelling voice. His final scene in particular is intense. Mark Elder is responsible for a colorfully playing Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Opera Rara Chorus. For Puccini lovers, and opera lovers in general, a gem not to be missed.
- WHAT: Le Willis
- WHO: Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924)
- VOICES: Brian Mulligan (baritone), Ermonela Jaho (soprano), Arsen Soghomonyan (tenor)
- ORCHESTRA: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera Rara Chorus conducted by Sir Mark Elder
- RELEASE: Opera Rara – ORC59