Pacini Giovanni (1796-1867) - "Medea" Melodramma tragico in three acts - Orchestra Sinfonica di Savona - PREMIERE

Pacini Giovanni

(1796-1867)

"Medea"

Melodramma tragico in three acts.

Libretto by Benedetto Castiglia.

Jolanta Omilian, Marcello Lippi, 

Sergio Panajia, Richard Bonynge, 

Orchestra Sinfonica di Savona

2018, Nar Classical

PREMIERE

Medea is centered on a wife’s calculated desire for revenge against her unfaithful husband. The play is set in Corinth sometime after Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece, where he met Medea. The play begins with Medea in a blind rage towards Jason for arranging to marry Glauce, the daughter of king Creon. The nurse, overhearing Medea’s grief, fears what she might do to herself or her children.

Creon, in anticipation of Medea’s wrath, arrives and reveals his plans to send her into exile. Medea pleads for one day’s delay and eventually Creon acquiesces. In the next scene Jason arrives to explain his rationale for his apparent betrayal. He explains that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to marry a royal princess, as Medea is only a barbarian woman, but hopes to someday join the two families and keep Medea as his mistress. Medea, and the chorus of Corinthian women, do not believe him. She reminds him that she left her own people for him ( “I rescued you [...] I betrayed both my father and my house [...] now where should I go?” ), and that she saved him and slew the dragon. Jason promises to support her after his new marriage ( “If you wish me to give you or the children extra money for your trip into exile, tell me; I’m ready to give it with a lavish hand” , but Medea spurns him: “Go on, play the bridegroom! Perhaps [...] you’ve made a match you’ll one day have cause to lament.”)

(FLAC - 525 MB)