Edmea enjoyed some success at its premiere at La Scala in 1886. When it was repeated later the same year in a revised version in Turin, the conductor was the 20-year old Arturo Toscanini. Although Edmea was quickly overshadowed by the popularity of La Wally, its lively dramatic style and a score full of bold and colourful numbers – Catalani’s skills as an orchestrator were considerable – make it an opera worth rediscovering. In this evening’s recorded production of this opera in three acts, Anne-Sophie Duprels sings the title role, Edmea, an orphan in love with Count Oberto sung by Luciano Ganci, whose father disapproves. Francesco Cilluffo conducts the Wexford Festival Opera Orchestra and Chorus.
RTÉ lyric fm, Saturday 30th October, 7pm-10pm