Alberto Franchetti (1860-1942) is all but fogotten today, whereas at the turn of the 20th century his Germania and this present opera were as popular as Cavalleria Rusticana and works by Cilea. His orchestration is noble and highly symphonic à la Wagner, and while large scenes tend to have a nice cumulative effect, you come away wishing there were some tunes to hum. In this treatment of the Christopher Columbus story we follow the Genovese explorer beginning with his audience with Queen Isabella of Spain who wishes him on his way. From there we go to sea where there’s a danger of mutiny at the hands of one Don Roldano, but sight of land defuses it, then to Mexico and a love affair between Guevara, one of Columbus’ loyalists, and the Indian Princess Iguamota, followed by Columbus’ arrest (very complicated) and an epilogue in which he dies after being imprisoned for several years back in Spain. It’s an epic about which it’s hard to get excited.
As suggested above, much of the music is handsome but also somewhat forgettable. Columbus’ monolgues work effectively in the hands (and throat) of Renato Bruson, who brings dignity and beautiful tone to the role, and Roberto Scandiuzzi’s villanous Roldano is quite good as well. Marco Berti lends a handsome tenor to the faithful Guevara and Rosanna Ragatzu is fine as both Queen Isabella in Spain and Princess Iguamota in Mexico, although there’s no real beauty to her voice in either role. Gisella Pasino is effective as Iguamota’s vengeful mother and the rest of the cast is good without turning heads or knocking us over. The live performance is energetic–I doubt we’ll get a better recording of this work. And so, it’s a curiosity, not altogether fulfilling, but worth a listen nonetheless.
