Commissioned by the city of Genoa, Columbus' birthplace, the opera deals with the voyage of discovery, its opposition by the Spanish authorities, Columbus' encouragement by Queen Isabella, and finally, after his difficulties and triumph, his anguish when he learns of her death.[1]
An essentially melodic opera only tangentially influenced by the emerging verismo style, it is harmonically rich, with obvious references to the work of Richard Wagner and Meyerbeer. The act 2 monologue contains a Rhine-like motif; after cries of Terra! Terra! the orchestra replies with Tristan-like ecstasy, and then a rainbow bridge-like triumph.[2] Its anti-church elements have been noted, particularly in the opera's earlier versions: it is the clerics who oppose the voyage initially, and who violently attempt to evangelise the South American natives.[3]
Despite initial stage success, a massive cut of the first version, of some 100 pages of orchestral score, led to the published version; a set of adventures in America in acts 3 and 4 having been considered too long. The final version of 1923 contained three acts, omitting the American content altogether, although containing much of its music. One of Luigi Illica's first librettos, it had a difficult gestation due to difficulties with the composer. Illica withdrew his name from the project after the first performance.[3]
Roles
Hohenstein's costume design for Cristoforo Colombo
Titta Ruffo Edition: Two arias from act 2 of the opera: "Aman lassù le stelle" (Strange loves have the stars on high) and "Dunque ho sognato?" (Is it a dream?) (Preiser Records 89303)
Complete opera
Cristoforo ColomboRenato Bruson (baritone); Roberto Scandiuzzi (bass); Rosella Ragatzu (soprano); Gisella Pasino (mezzo-soprano); Marco Berti (tenor); Hungarian Radio Chorus, Budapest, Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Marcello Viotti. (Koch Schwann 367392)[5]
References
^Opera at Home, Gramophone Co., 3rd ed., 1925[page needed]
^ abLuca Zoppelli and Arthur Groos, "Twilight of the True Gods: Cristoforo Colombo, I Medici and the Construction of Italian History", Cambridge Opera Journal, vol. 8, no. 3, (November 1996), pp. 251–269; Cambridge University Press.
Mercedes Viale Ferrero[at Wikidata] (2015). "La visione scenica di Cristoforo Colombo". In Paolo Giorgi; Richard Erkens (eds.). Alberto Franchetti – l'uomo, il compositore, l'artista (in Italian). Libraria Musicale Italiana. pp. 389ff. ISBN978-88-7096-817-0.
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