Bellini’s I Puritani: Juan Diego Florez / Nino Machaidze / Ildebrando D’Arcangelo / Orchestra e coro del Teatro Comunale di Bologna/ Michele Mariotti DVD – Nino Machaidze. Ildebrando D’Arcangelo. Orchestra e coro del Teatro Comunale di Bologna Michele Mariotti , Juan Diego Fl�rez

Tenor Juan Diego Florez, soprano Nino Machaidze, and bass baritone Ildebrando D’Arcangelo lead the cast in this production of Bellini’s opera, with Michele Mariotti conducting the Orchestra and Choir of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

In this high-definition film of Bellini’s historical bel-canto drama, I Puritani, tenor superstar Juan Diego Flórez is partnered by new young Georgian soprano Nino Machaidze, in her first appearance on Decca DVD. Joining them in a striking new staging by Pier’Alli at the Teatro Comunale di Bologna is celebrated bass baritone, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo. The context is England’s Civil War between the Roundheads (the ‘Parliamentarians’ or ‘Puritans’ of the title) and the Cavaliers (Royalists). A love triangle between Arturo (a Puritan), Riccardo (a Royalist) and the beautiful Elvira results in a drama of escapes, disguises and captures, during which Elvira loses her reason, before a final pardon restores her senses and unites her with her beloved Arturo. This new production benefits from the use of a new critical addition, with significant added material i.e. all the music that Bellini wrote for the opera. It makes this release, apart from the excellent cast, even more interesting for the opera lover.