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Regale Signora — Amadeus

Amadeus – 25° anniversario

Emilio Sala

Una cantante e un progetto discografico tutto italiano dedicato alla figura di Semiramide. Quando ricerca e interpretazione s’incontrano.

Immagino di non essere stato l’unico ad aver provato un senso di stupore («Ah, qual colpo inaspettato!») ascoltando la traccia numero 3 del secondo cd della bellissima e pluripremiata antologia Semiramide: la signora regale, concepita e interpretata dal mezzosoprano Anna Bonitatibus […]

Naturalmente la citazione dal Barbiere è tanto più sorprendente (e paradossale) in quanto quest’ultimo è dell’anno successivo (1816). Ma sappiamo che il passo incriminato era già stato utilizzato per intero da Rossini nella Cambiale di matrimonio del 1810 (aria di Fannì). Come si vede, le implicazioni musicologhe di questo interessante (oltre che splendido) florilegio sono smaccate e ineludibili. […]

Semiramide World Premiere in Moscow

October 24,^th 2014, at Moscow’s Svetlanov Hall marks not only the concert premiere of Semiramide – La Signora Regale, but also marks the world premiere of Rossini’s original version of Bel raggio lusinghier. Anna Bonitatibus is the first interpreter of this version of the Cavatina, most likely only heard by Rossini himself and Isabella Colbran over 190 years ago.

That same evening will also be performed the aria Son infelice, son sventurata from La Morte di Semiramide by Sebastiano Nasolini, yet another world premiere.

Interview d'Anna Bonitatibus

ODB – Opéra

Charlie Mivielle

A l’occasion de la sortie de son dernier enregistrement solo, consacré à la légendaire Reine d’Assyrie Sémiramide « de Porpora à Rossini », la mezzo-soprano italienne Anna Bonitatibus nous fait le plaisir de répondre à nos questions, dans un français impeccable.

The Royal Lady and the Majestic Mezzo: Anna Bonitatibus and Semiramide

Fanfare Magazine

Carla Maria Verdino-Süllwold

“Do you really want to know? It took me four years to put together,” the vivacious mezzo laughs. “It was a very difficult project.”

Difficult, perhaps, but magnificent! Italian mezzo-soprano Anna Bonitatibus’s recently released two-CD set, titled Semiramide, La Signora Regale, is a thrilling collection of Baroque and bel canto arias and scenes inspired by the legendary Assyrian queen, assembled with meticulous research, presented with the lavish accompaniment of art and poetry, not to mention the brilliant musical partnership with Federico Ferri and the Accademia degli Astrusi and La Stagione Armonica. For Bonitatibus it has been a labor of love.

Alla corte di Semiramide

L'ape Musicale

Roberta Pedrotti

Come si può facilmente immaginare, quelle stesse sezioni che suscitarono in me grande sorpresa, hanno ora risvegliato molta attenzione nel mondo accademico e non posso che esserne contenta pur invitando a non trascurare il valore del ri-nato operista Sebastiano Nasolini.

La scena presentata nell'album è la versione che Isabella Colbran fece ascoltare ai napoletani e con la quale ho inteso renderLe un mio personale omaggio.

Presto Classical Interview

PrestoClassical

Katherine Cooper

Semiramide is such a fascinating, multi-faceted character – when did you first fall under her spell, and how did you set about researching her story and her music?

It was one of my wishes to work on a new project that could recount just how important Music, Opera, and Art in general is to our lives today more than ever despite those who think that opera is near to an end and recordings are just a question of marketing and business. Semiramide appeared extremely fascinating and perfect for this reason. Since my first researches, I found she was misunderstood as a queen and especially as a woman, which to me, is not a matter of a century or a millennium, is a point of strength and also a point of reference. We introduce her true story first and then we continue with the layers of myth surrounding her.

Semiramide
La Signora regale
2016 Concert Tour

Anna Bonitatibus – Mezzosoprano
M° Václav Luks – Conductor
COLLEGIUM 1704 – Orchestra

Join us for this fascinating and original musical program as we peer into the world of Semiramide, ‘Superwoman‘, builder and warrior, the 'Venus' of Mesopotamia, wife and queen, widow and mother.

Semiramide
La Signora regale
Winner of The International Opera Awards for the Best Operatic CD Recital 2015.

Within this unique dream that is now becoming true, I see one very important sign: the encouragement from each of you by believing in the strength of Culture and in the power of Music; the only arms I take-up to defend knowledge and peace.

Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for giving me the possibility to express these sentiments, for giving me the possibility of flying on pure happiness after the four years of deep and difficult work done on behalf of this project.

My gratitude goes to each member of the crew and to Sony and Deutsche Harmony Mundi, that allowed the birth of Semiramide – la Signora regale.

Completely moved and grateful to The International Opera Awards
Grazie London.

Anna Bonitatibus

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Anna Bonitatibus explores heroines of antiquity in Karlsruhe

Sandra Bowdler

After a brief pause, Bonitatibus reappeared in a flesh coloured gown covered with sparkles, with big sparkling earrings. Semiramide riconosciuta was a story of considerable popularity in the 18th and early 19th centuries, culminating in Rossini’s Semiramide, a bel canto favourite. The version here is the opera of Vinci which Handel massaged into performability. Bonitatibus sang the aria “Fuggi dagli ochhi miei” with great passion, and impressive low notes.

A wonderful concert from one of the great mezzo-sopranos of our day.

Alte Musik bei Kerzenschein Anna Bonitatibus Semiramide - La Signora regale

Thomas Molke

Obwohl die sagenumwobene assyrische Königin Semiramis die Komponisten des 18. und 19. Jahrhunderts zu mehr als 100 Vertonungen inspiriert hat, hat sie im heutigen Opernrepertoire nicht mehr den Bekanntheitsgrad einer Cleopatra, Armida oder Alcina. Selbst die wohl bekannteste Fassung von Gioachino Rossini ist recht selten auf der Bühne zu erleben. Die italienische Mezzosopranistin Anna Bonitatibus hat sich vorgenommen, daran etwas zu ändern, und deshalb nicht nur eine Doppel-CD unter dem Titel Semiramide - La Signora regale mit Arien aus zahlreichen Vertonungen eingespielt, sondern tritt nun auch in der Philharmonie Essen in der beliebten Reihe Alte Musik bei Kerzenschein auf, um der Königin mit Arien von unterschiedlichen Komponisten ein Denkmal zu setzen. Dabei präsentiert sie nicht nur Arien von der CD, sondern auch weitere Vertonungen, beispielsweise von Christoph Willibald Gluck und Ferdinando Bertoni. Andere auf CD eingespielte Nummern lässt sie weg, um einen weiteren Anreiz zu schaffen, im Anschluss an das Konzert die CD zu erwerben. Und Bonitatibus präsentiert sich an diesem Abend nicht nur stimmlich als Königin. […] Doch als er zum tödlichen Schlag gegen Assur ausholt, trifft er seine Mutter, die zu seinem Schutz herbeigeeilt ist, und rächt damit den Tod seines Vaters. Bonitatibus präsentiert aus Sebastiano Nasolinis Oper La morte di Semiramide die Szene, in der Semiramide der Geist ihres verstorbenen Gatten erscheint. Diese Szene wurde 1815 in Neapel mit Versatzstücken aus Marcos Portugals Vertonung und Koloraturen von Gioachino Rossini ergänzt, weil hier niemand Geringeres als Isabella Colbran die Titelpartie übernahm. Bonitatibus erweist sich erneut als Meisterin stupender Koloraturen und begeistert das Publikum durch schnelle und flexible Läufe. Natürlich darf auch die berühmte Kavatine "Bel raggio lusinghier" aus Rossinis Oper nicht fehlen.

Rabiate, zarte Heldin

Christine Gehringer

Die italienische Mezzosopranistin Anna Bonitatibus hat diesen Schatz aus den Notenarchiven gehoben, hat aus den vergessenen Dramen um die antike Heldin einen unterhaltsamen Abend zusammengestellt. […] Hier wütet Semiramis, weist ihren treulosen Liebhaber mit entschlossenen Gesten zurück. Großartig sind die abrupten Stimmungswechsel: Erst ist alles furios nach außen gerichtet, dann zieht sich Anna Bonitatibus sofort in die intime Klage, oder auch: in ihr Selbstmitleid zurück; sie seufzt, leidet. […] Großer Jubel für eine großartige Künstlerin.

Anna Bonitatibus Wigmore Hall, London, review: 'She could out-blast in volume the full 22-piece orchestra'

Michael Church

(…) Anna Bonitatibus performed with great intensity at Wigmore Hall. And in the recital which the Italian mezzo Anna Bonitatibus has compiled – from which she’s also made a prize-winning disc – variations on the tale came from eleven 18th-century composers.

Semiramide "La Signora Regale" – Anna Bonitatibus at the Wigmore Hall

Travis Mason

(…) Ms Bonitatibus was in terrific form, which was just as well given the demanding programme. all [the pieces] required the full mezzo range and occasional moments of deep chest voice but mostly fiery, fast coloratura – the sort of repertoire Cecilia Bartoli might sing – launched with gusto, feeling and commitment. She was also perfectly at ease in the temporal trip through the Baroque, Classical and into the bel canto arena, adapting her sense of expression and lyricism to each.

Anna Bonitatibus in regal form as Queen Semiramide at Wigmore Hall

Robert Hugill

(…) Bonitatibus brought a vivid sense of theatricality and engagement to each aria, combining a vivid technique with a striking physicality; she certainly is not a singer to just stand and deliver. Though she did use music, she was strikingly engaged with the audience and we had a degree of visual stimulus too. Not just Bonitatibus's highly mobile platform manner, but her four different outfits ensured a striking visual side to the programme.

Königin kitzelt Fantasien wach

Birgitta Schmid

(…) Die Mezzosopranistin Anna Bonitatibus hat sich auf die Suche nach den leidenschaftlichsten Arien gemacht. (…)

I Dischi migliori del mese – Semiramide

Franca Cella

(…) Anna Bonitatibus, cantante di cultura esigente, ha guidato un progetto di ricerca, coinvolgendo musicologi, esperti di storia, letteratura, arte per riportare in luce la fortuna del personaggio (…)

ANACLASE | récital Anna Bonitatibus

Michel Slama

(…) Le projet d’Anna Bonitatibus est de révéler une partie des trésors musicaux qu’a suscités la reine guerrière, brossant un panorama de différentes incarnations lyriques, d’Antonio Caldara à Gioacchino Rossini. Le mezzo italien occupe aujourd’hui une place de choix dans le monde lyrique(…) ce nouvel album est aussi doté d’une notice richement documentée et illustrée. On trouve là une douzaine d’arie inédites au disque, magnifiquement interprétées par la séduisante cantatrice.(…)

More Reviews

Semiramide
La Signora Regale

Anna Bonitatibus
Federico Ferri
Accademia degli Astrusi
La Stagione Armonica
2 audio CDs
Booklet and bonus track
Sony/DHM – June 2014.

17 Tracks of music about the legendary queen Semiramis comprising over 100 minutes of music including the bonus tracks.

14 World Premiere Recordings including the never before heard original version of Gioachino Rossini’s Bel raggio lusinghier.

132 Page lavishly illustrated booklet in 4 languages.

Music Edition Credits and Performance Notes

Critical editions based on original sources by Davide Verga and Alessandro Monga (Ed. Consonarte, London); Marco Beghelli and Stefano Piana (Ed. Beghelli, Bologna) for track 5/cd2; Philip Gossett (Edizione critica della Fondazione Rossini di Pesaro, in collaborazione con Casa Ricordi, Milano, a cura di P. Gossett e A. Zedda) for track 6/cd2.

Performed on period instruments
Diapason 430 Hz
Vocal cadenzas & ornaments by Anna Bonitatibus

Booklet in Four Languages

The CD’s booklet is written in English, German, French as well as Italian.

Aria lyrics are in their original language with an added short scene synopsis and English translation.

CD Track Listing and Bonus Tracks

Disc 1

Antonio Caldara
Semiramide in Ascalona | 1725
Introduzione *
Antonio Caldara
Semiramide in Ascalona | 1725
Povera navicella *
Nicola Porpora
Semiramide regina dell'Assiria | 1724
Vanne fido, e al mesto regno *
Niccolò Jommelli
Semiramide riconosciuta | 1741
Barbaro… Tradita, sprezzata *
Andrea Bernasconi
Semiramide | 1765
Ah non è vano il pianto *
Tommaso Traetta
Semiramide | 1765
Il pastor se torna aprile *
Giovanni Paisiello
La Semiramide in villa | 1772
Serbo in seno il cor piagato *

Disc 2

Francesco Bianchi
La vendetta di Nino | 1790
Sinfonia *
Giovan Battista Borghi
La morte di Semiramide | 1791
Figlio diletto e caro *
Sebastiano Nasolini
La morte di Semiramide | 1792
Fermati! Il ciel minaccia… Deh sospedi ai pianti miei… Serbo ancora un’alma altera *
Charles-Simon Catel
Semiramis | 1802
Dance No. 2 *
Giacomo Meyerbeer
Semiramide | 1819
Piu non si tardi… Il piacer, la gioia scenda
Gioachino Rossini
Semiramide | 1823
Serena i vaghi rai… Bel raggio lusinghier */**
Manuel García
Semiramis | 1828
Gia il perfido discese… Al mio pregar t'arrendi *

Bonus Track CD:

Händel/Vinci
Semiramide riconosciuta | 1729/33
Fuggi dagl’occhi miei *

Bonus Tracks for Digital Download:

Christoph Willibald Gluck
Semiramide Riconosciuta | 1748
Fuggi dagl’occhi miei
Antonio Salieri
Semiramide Riconosciuta | 1782
Sinfonia

* world premiere recording
** world historical premiere