Opera 'Focile... lends pathos to her mad scenes, shapes her words well, and manages the role's florid music expressively... The Philharmonia is at something like its best and Bellini conducts with real flair... the right combination of delicacy and gusto.'

The Cast GIOVANNA - Nuccia Focile IDA - Elisabetta Scano GIORGIO - Nicola Rossi GIORDANO and DUCA D'ARGYLE - Dean Robinson (PMF Scholar) TOM - Christopher Purves FANNY - Rebecca von Lipinski (PMF Scholar) PATRIZIO - Colin Lee Geoffrey Mitchell Choir Philharmonia Orchestra CONDUCTOR - Gabriele Bellini

Gramophone 'Vocally and orchestrally, the performance is admirable. The casting of the two sopranos has followed the score's lead which apportions them as matching voices that nevertheless have to be distinct in character. Nuccia Focile develops the warmth and depth of her voice, and Elisabetta Scano maintains clear tone and an even line. We hear less of the men, but the resonantly named Nicola Rossi Giordano displays an interestingly substantial tenor, and Christopher Purves sings the smuggler's barcarolle with resonance and panache.'