Opera on 3 - Matilde di Shabran

Ivan Hewett introduces a performance of Rossini's tragicomedy, with Carlo Rizzi conducting soprano Aleksandra Kurzak alongside tenor Juan Diego Florez. The plot centres on Corradino, who refers to himself as 'heart of iron', but who is actually a petty tyrant, misogynist and hypochondriac. He becomes smitten by Mathilde, a charmer with a ready answer for everything, but has to fight obstacles in the form of love rival Edoardo and the evil Countess. Matilde di Shabran ...... Aleksandra Kurzak (soprano) Corradino ...... Juan Diego Florez (tenor) Ginardo ...... Carlo Lepore (bass) Aliprando ...... Marco Vinco (bass) Isidoro ...... Alfonso Antoniozzi (baritone) Edoardo ...... Vesselina Kasarova (mezzo-soprano) Contessa d'Arco ...... Enkelejda Shkosa (mezzo-soprano) Rodrigo ...... Bryan Secombe (bass) Raimondo Lopez ...... Mark Beesley (bass) Egoldo ...... Robert Anthony Gardiner (tenor) Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Royal Opera Chorus Carlo Rizzi (conductor).