Nicola Vaccaj's opera, La sposa di Messina, was his fifteenth of sixteen operas and was written when he was at the height of his powers.
Recording & Production
This recording of La sposa di Messina is a world premiere recording, captured live at the Rossini in Wildbad Festival in 2009.
Notable Performances
The 2009 concert performance of La sposa di Messina at the Rossini-in-Wildbad Bel Canto Festival was its first revival ever, 170 years after its 1839 premiere.
Performer Biography
Antonino Fogliani, the conductor, has directed several operas for Rossini in Wildbad, including works by Rossini and Vaccaj.
Composition History
The libretto for La sposa di Messina was written by Jacopo Cabianca, a cousin of Vaccaj's wife, making it a 'collaboration within the family'.
Critical Reception
The Directors of the Teatro la Fenice initially found the subject of La sposa di Messina 'atrocious' due to its controversial plot.
Composer Biography
Nicola Vaccaj, the composer, is renowned as a vocal teacher and is still known today for his singing exercises, Metodo di Canto.
