I Puritani

Story & Setting:

In 13th Century Sicily, a love triangle forms between the title exiled pirate, his former lover Imogene, and his bitter rival, the Duke and Imogene’s husband. Based on a French tragedy, the piece can be compared to Donizetti’s later (much more famous) opera Lucia di Lammermoor.

Opera Notes:

The classic pyrotechnics of bel canto singing are on full display in this rarely performed Bellini opera, including a full mad scene for the leading soprano. Additionally, the highly effective storm scene that opens the opera is often thought to be an inspiration for Verdi’s later use of the effect in Otello.

Sung in

Italian

Length:

3 hours & 30 minutes

Vincenzo Bellini (1801-1835)

Watch/Listen

"A te, o cara" (Javier Camarena)

Met Opera (current production)

"Vien, diletto" (Olga Peretyatko)