The prolific and versatile Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, one of the central figures of Italian bel canto opera, also wrote around 200 songs. Most of them are rarely performed and some, until recently, completely unknown. Curated by musicologist Roger Parker and under the leadership of Opera Rara's artistic director Carlo Rizzi, Opera Rara presents the complete solo songs in a series of eight recital albums. The project makes a powerful case for Donizetti as a key figure in 19th-century song repertoire, and for the importance of the Italian school in a field long dominated by German and French composers. These two albums are the first in a series of 8 recordings to be released between now and spring 2026.
1 Bolero. L'amante Spagnuolo. "Corri Destrier, Deh Celere"
2 Con Le Grazie, Con Le Muse
3 Il Donativo. "Tu Porgesti a Me L'anello"
4 Non V'e Piu' Barbaro
5 Perche´ Mai Nigella Amata
6 Canzonetta. "Rendimi Il Core O Barbara"
7 Il Sogno. "Nostre Misere Menti"
8 Canzone Napolitana. Amor Marinaro. "Me Voglio Fa 'Na Casa"
9 Romanza. "Malvina la Bella Sull'arpa"
10 Lamento Di Cecco Da Varlungo. "Com'e Possivol Mai Sandra Crudele"
11 Trova Un Sol Mia Bella Clori (Version in F Major)
12 Trova Un Sol Mia Bella Clori (Version in a Major)
13 Cavatina. "Ella Riposa... Alcuni Istanti Almeno"
14 Barcaruola. "Sovra Il Remo Sta Curvato"
15 Canzonetta. "Or Che la Notte Invita"
16 Canzonetta. "Se Lontan, Ben Mio, Tu Sei"
17 O Anime Affannate
18 Canzonetta. "Quando Verra Sul Colle"
19 Romanza. Quando Verrà Quel DÌ. "Quando Verrà Sul Colle"
20 L'ora Del Ritrovo. "Odi, Elisa: Questa L'ora"
21 Il Sospiro. "Donna Infelice, Stanca D'amore"
22 Il Ritorno Del Trovatore Da Gerusalemme. "Alfin Di Gerosolima"
23 Lunge Ne Vai Da Italia
24 Canzonetta. Bedda Eurilla. "Bedda Eurilla Gia la Scena"
25 Il Nome Indovinato. "Voi Vorreste Il Nome Amato"
26 V'era Un Di Che Il Cor Beato
27 Il Sorriso E Il Primo Vezzo
28 Non Giova Il Sospirar
The prolific and versatile Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti, one of the central figures of Italian bel canto opera, also wrote around 200 songs. Most of them are rarely performed and some, until recently, completely unknown. Curated by musicologist Roger Parker and under the leadership of Opera Rara's artistic director Carlo Rizzi, Opera Rara presents the complete solo songs in a series of eight recital albums. The project makes a powerful case for Donizetti as a key figure in 19th-century song repertoire, and for the importance of the Italian school in a field long dominated by German and French composers. These two albums are the first in a series of 8 recordings to be released between now and spring 2026.