Ferruccio Furlanetto, the bass singing Mefistofele, initially studied classical philology and natural science before beginning his music career at age 22.
Composition History
Arrigo Boito's opera "Mefistofele" was first staged in 1868 at La Scala in Milan, but its initial performance lasted six hours and ended in an uproar.
Composition History
After its problematic premiere, "Mefistofele" underwent significant revisions, including reducing the number of acts from five to four and changing the role of Faust back to a tenor, leading to a successful staging in 1875.
Recording & Production
This recording of Arrigo Boito's "Mefistofele" was made live at the Teatro Massimo in Palermo, Italy, on January 27, 2008.
Composer's Artistic Vision
In Italy, Arrigo Boito was one of the first composers, like Wagner, to write both the libretto and the music for his own opera.
Composer Biography
Arrigo Boito, the composer of "Mefistofele", was the son of a miniature painter and a Polish countess, and was raised by his mother after she was deserted by her husband.
Composer Biography
Arrigo Boito is inextricably associated with Giuseppe Verdi, for whom he wrote the libretti for Verdi's two great Shakespearian operas, "Otello" and "Falstaff".
