IL MATRIMONIO SEGRETO – CIMAROSA
Presented on Apr 13, 15, 18, 24 at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin as part of the Dublin Grand Opera Society’s Spring Season
Margherita Rinaldi – Carolina
Salvatore Gioia – Paolino
Ledo Freschi – Geronimo
Mafalda Micheluzzi – Elisetta
Leo Pudis – Robinson
Jole di Maria – Fidalma
Napoleone Annovazzi – Conductor
Carlo Acly Azzolini – Producer
The season was also notable for the first production by the society of Cimarosa’s “Il Matrimonio Segreto”. Although the composer may not have had the melodic gifts of either Bellini, Rossini or Mozart, his music has abundant grace and style and entertainment value. The DGOS production was visually striking with attractive sets and beautiful costumes and inventive direction by Carlo Acly Azzolini. ‘It is to be hoped that no one who has the faintest interest in opera will miss “Il Matrimonio Segreto” at the Gaiety,’ observed one critic, ‘It is possibly the best and certainly one of the most delightful performances the society has ever offered us.’ While the theatre was not filled for the performances, the opera was an undoubted artistic success, thanks to the accomplished cast that included Margherita Rinaldi, tenor Salvatore Gioia and Mafalda Micheluzzi. The conductor was Napoleone Annovazzi who was totally in sympathy with Cimarosa’s work and was said to have ‘coaxed some polished playing from the Radio Eireann Symphony Orchestra.’ Much more would be heard of Maestro Annovazzi in Dublin in the years to come.
(Extracted from “Love and Music: The Glorious History of the Dublin Grand Opera Society” by Gus Smith, 1998)
Opera in Ireland 