The Daily Telegraph

'Although he wrote it in breathtaking haste, Donizetti held Parisina to be among his favourite operas... its libretto drew a raw, tough and muscular score from Donizetti, notable for some fine duets and quartets and a tremendous last scene... it’s impossible not to be swept along by the passion, and Carmen Giannattasio gives an emotionally vivid reading of the title role.'
The Guardian

Review of the concert performance

(Opera Rara's) 'regular revivals of his (Donizetti's) more obscure works do not often turn up something as good as Parisina, presented under David Parry's stylish baton.'
The Cast

PARISINA - Carmen Giannattasio
UGO - José Bros
AZZO - Dario Solari
ERNESTO - Nicola Ulivieri
IMELDA - Ann Taylor

Geoffrey Mitchell Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra
CONDUCTOR - David Parry
Donizetti fires up this tale of adulterous passion and unspeakable revenge with an unusually focused attention to the drama. Once past a routine overture, there is no slack to the score, with much that is incisive and potent. Despite an announcement alerting us to her vocal exhaustion, Carmen Giannattasio's Parisina required no apologies. Her discriminating singing depicted the heroine's plight vividly. As her implacable husband, the young Uruguayan baritone Dario Solari impressed with his vocal grandeur and concentrated characterisation. It was Donizetti's favourite among his operas. This performance showed why.