MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur (complete opera recorded in 1962)

Cilea's opera is based on a popular play which was itself based on the real life story of Adriana Lecouvreur - the great actress of early 18th Century Paris - and her relationship with the aristocratic soldier Maurizio, Count of Saxony. In the opera Adriana dies a suitably tragic, theatrical death, dying in the arms of her lover after smelling poisioned violets sent by her rival.

Cilea's gloriously lyrical score includes Adriana's two popular arias 'Io son l'umile ancella' and 'Poveri fiori' and the well known tenor aria 'La dolcissima effigie' (sung at the opera's premiere by Enrico Caruso).

NOTE: Booklet has some very minor wear