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Opera in three acts, Music by Guiseppe Verdi and libretto by Temistocle Solera. Guiseppe Verdi's Attila premiered in Venice in 1846, four years after Nabucco.This work, Verdi's ninth opera was a purposefully patriotic one, featuring choruses, warriors stirring arias and dialogues clearly aimed at an Italian audience under Austrian occupation. The libretto signed by Temistocle Solera was inspired by Werner's tragedy, Attila Koning der Hunnen which had impressed Verdi. The clear cut characterizations, the combat between Paganism ans Christianity, oppressors ans the opressed had fanned the flames of young Verdi's musical and patriotic ideals. Yet both composer and librettist significantly modified the original work. Though originally a positive character in Werner's version, the Attila of Verdi joins the ranks of opera's tyrant figures, as opposed to the character of Odabella, Ezio and Foresto who symbolize Italian patriotism. And, as always, Verdi treat us to a reflexion on the complexity of indivduals torn between love and power. Today this epic vigor and flamboyant vitality still spark audience enthusiasm.
Attila and his victorious horde are surprised to see a group of women spared as prisoners of war. Their leader, Odabella, asks why the Huns' women remain at home (Allor che i forti corrono / "While your warriors rush to their swords like lions"). Attila, impressed by her courage, offers a boon and she asks for her sword, with which she intends to avenge the death of her father at Attila's own hand (Da te questo or m'è concesso / "O sublime, divine justice by thee is this now granted"). The Roman envoy Ezio asks for an audience and proposes a division of the empire: Avrai tu l'universo, Resti l'Italia a me / "You may have the universe, but let Italy remain mine". Attila disdainfully calls him a traitor to his country...
Samuel Ramey ( Attila), Carlo Guelfi ( Ezio), Maria Guleghina ( Odabella), Franco Farina (Foresto),Mihajlo Arsenski (Uldino), Igor Mathioukine ( Leone)
Musical direction by Pinchas Steinberg, Set direction by Josée Dayan and Jeanne Moreau
Italian
English, French
Production compagny : Telmondis
Running Time : 1 x 105’
Production Year : 2001
Distribution compagny : Telmondis distribution
Video Format : Digibeta 16/9, Digibeta 4/3 Letterbox