Donizetti: Les Martyrs (3CD)

A tragic tale of Christian martyrdom, Les Martyrs began its life as Poliuto, Donizetti’s Italian opera which – due to its religious content – was banned before its Naples première. Greatly angered by the Italian censors’ decision, Donizetti moved to Paris in the hope of conquering the Opéra de Paris. His dream came largely true when, in 1838, he signed an agreement to revise Poliuto for the Paris opera. Working together with Eugène Scribe – the grand opera librettist of the time – Donizetti went to great pains to adapt his Italian opera for Parisian audiences. He added an elaborate new overture, new solos for the lead tenor and several innovative ensemble scenes. Yet, despite the opera’s successful première, Les Martyrs soon disappeared from the Paris opera’s repertory. Opera Rara’s revival is based on a new critical edition by Dr. Flora Willson, which restores the opera’s original French text and reinstates numerous musical passages that have not been heard since its first performance.