Sicilienne
 
The Cast

NOE - Mirco Palazzi
JAFET - Simon Bailey
SEM - Mark Wilde
CAM - Dean Robinson
TESBITE - Irina Lungu
ASFENE - Ivana Dimitrijevic
ABRA - Anne Marie Gibbons
CADMO - Colin Lee
SELA - Majella Cullagh
ADA - Manuela Custer
ARTOO - Roland Wood

Geoffrey Mitchell Choir London Philharmonic Orchestra
CONDUCTOR -
Giuliano Carella
Manuela Custer explores fully the fiery jealousy of her tempestuous rival, Ada, with Colin Lee supplying lyrical point and dramatic definition as Cadmo… All the smaller roles are well up to Opera Rara’s regular high standards, and the conductor Guiliano Carella brings spirit and intermittent grandeur to his task.’
Opera

‘Despite its ultimately Biblical source, the bulk of the plot and the audience’s time are taken up with a relatively standard three-cornered relationship in which the loyally monotheistic Sela is the butt of the anger of her tenor husband Cadmo, who goes whoring after idols, while her supposed mezzo friend Ada goes whoring after him in a bid to up her status as just another concubine…

Majella Cullagh’s Sela is beautifully voiced and seeks out the emotional truth of the character’s changing situation.
The Guardian

'The powerhouse cast produces some thrilling singing: Colin Lee's elegantly flustered Cadmo, and the exceptional young Italian bass Mirco Palazzi as Noah, are particularly outstanding.'

musicweb

'All lovers of Opera Rara’s work, and Donizetti in particular, will want to add this recording to their collection.'