Bellini's Il Pirata
Teatro Real of Madrid - Emilio Sagi (stage director), Maurizio Benini (conductor) - With George Petean (Ernesto), Sonya Yoncheva (Imogene), Javier Camarena (Gualtiero)
Cast
Emilio Sagi — Stage director
Daniel Bianco — Set designer
Pepa Ojanguren — Costume designer
Albert Faura — Lighting designer
Program notes
Rediscover Bellini’s first success, Il Pirata at the Teatro Real! Alongside bel canto specialist Javier Camarena and vocal powerhouse George Petean, diva Sonya Yoncheva shines as the opera's heroine, recalling the spirit of Maria Callas with her passionate performance.
The plot, adapted by the librettist Felice Romani from the theater piece Bertram, or The Castle of Saint-Aldobrand by Charles Maturin, set in Sicily during the 13th century tells the story of a young woman, Imogene, forced to marry her sworn enemy Ernesto to save her father’s life. Gualtiero, Imogene’s lover, is banished to exile and establishes himself as the leader of a band of pirates. However, one day while his ship is engulfed in a violent storm, he is washed up near Imogene’s castle. Imogene rescues her former lover and thus reignites their love story. Returning from his expedition and drowning in rage, Ernesto surprises the two lovers and challenges Gualtiero to a duel, thrusting all three towards their fatal end.
Image © Javier del Real
