Bellini: La Straniera

La straniera (The Foreigner) had a triumphant premiere on February 14, 1829 at La Scala,Milan. Bellini wrote to his librettist Felice Romani that the audience was enthusiastic “beyond belief,” and that the success surpassed that of Il pirata (in October, 1827) by far. La straniera was Bellini’s fourth opera (second with the admired librettist Romani), and along with Il pirata is generally taken to mark the beginning of full-blown Romanticism in Italian opera, its passionate music matching the sensational incidents of the plot. Of the great sopranos of her era, Renata Scotto was the acknowledged expert on the music of Bellini, whose intimate lyricism suited her perfectly, and her tremendous performances in La straniera were crucial to reviving interest in it. This live performance from Venice in 1970 preserves a historic moment in the revival of Bellini’s operas. “[Scotto] gives her all and takes lots of risks … all aspects of her performance improve upon the 1968 version … first-rate Bellini and first-rate Scotto, a combination not to be missed.” — OPERA NEWS