The opera Faniska, which premiered at the KÃ¤rntnertor Theatre in Vienna in 1806, is said to have been enthusiastically received by both Haydn and Beethoven. The libretto is available in German and Italian, and is based on the melodrama Les Mines de Pologne by the Nancy-born French playwright RenÃ© Charles Guilbert de PixÃ©rÃ©court. The action takes place in Poland, from where the first recording of the opera also comes. Zamoski, the Baron of Sandomir, orders his henchman Oranski to kidnap Faniska, the wife of the Baron of Rava, Rasinski. Faniska is taken to Zamoski's castle. Various attempts to free her fail. After being imprisoned with her husband, the couple finally manage to escape with Rasno's help. Rasinski's soldiers attack the castle, Zamoski is killed, Oranski is captured and put on trial. Faniska is sometimes called an opÃ©ra comique, but more often (and more accurately) an opera in three acts or even a 'grand heroic opera'. Like LodoÃ¯ska, Faniska is a typical example of the 'rescue opera' genre. Cherubini invested all his melodic talent in this work. Compared to LodoÃ¯ska his talent has clearly gained in quality. Natalia Rubis sings the technically difficult title role very sensitively and with a beautifully led but somewhat tight voice. Krystian Adam remains all too pale as her husband Rasinski. In the role of Rasno Piotr Kalna's singing is rather strained. The supporting roles are more or less well cast. With only one really good voice, that of bass-baritone Robert Gierlach as Zamoski, the vocal side is somewhat weak. On the other hand, Lukasz Borowicz is all the more impressive as the conductor. He puts a lot of lightness and transparency into the orchestral part, which he controls admirably, enlivening it with many details. Because Cherubini's score is so imaginative and so closely connected to the drama, this counts for a lot.

Tracklist:

Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. Ouverture (Largo assai)
Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. No. 1 Introduzione. Oh ciel...Dove m'aggiro? (Presto)
Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. No. 2 Recitativo ed Aria. Ah, sÃ¬, miei fidi, a voi nel consegnar (Allegro moderato)
Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. No. 3 Recitativo e Cavatina. Ove mi conducete? (Allegro assai)
Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. No. 4 Terzetto. (Andante) Ah, s'eguale al dolce aspetto
Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. No. 5 Coro di Contadini. (Allegretto) Di queste selve, oh amabile
Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. Melodramma. (Allegro moderato) La bana gente non vuol prenderli
Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. Aria di ballo. (Andantino)
Faniska, opera~Atto Primo. No. 6 Finale. (Larghetto) Tu che giungi della morte di Rasinski messaggier
Faniska, opera~Atto Secondo. No. 7 Introduzione. (Larghetto)
Faniska, opera~Atto Secondo. No. 8 Recitativo ed Aria. (Moderato assai) Qual orribil soggiorno!
Faniska, opera~Atto Secondo. No. 9 Melodramma e Duo. (Allegro comodo) Ah, consorte!
Faniska, opera~Atto Secondo. No. 10 Cavatina. (Andante) Oh voi, che il rigor del destin
Faniska, opera~Atto Secondo. No. 11 Trio. (Larghetto) Dolce ne guai ristoro
Faniska, opera~Atto Secondo. No. 12 Finale. (Allegro) Taci, iniquo, iniquo orror mi fai
Faniska, opera~Atto Tertio. No. 13 Introduzione (Larghetto)
Faniska, opera~Atto Tertio. No. 14 Marcia (Moderato)
Faniska, opera~Atto Tertio. No. 15 Coro e melodramma. (Allegro) All'armi!
Faniska, opera~Atto Tertio. No. 16 Quintetto. (Allegro) Empio ferisci, uccidimi
Faniska, opera~Atto Tertio. No. 17 Quartetto. (Allegretto) Non credete, non pensate
Faniska, opera~Atto Tertio. No. 18 Marcia dei soldati
Faniska, opera~Atto Tertio. No. 19 Finale. (Allegro moderato) Fausto ha il cielo alfin premiato

UPC: 5902547016948
Label: Dux Recording Prod.
Release Date: 3.5.21
Format: CD

Cherubini / Poznan Philharmonic Orch / Borowicz - Faniska (CD)