Review Text
Set near Edinburgh in the middle of the 17th century, Il proscritto (1842) weaves a tragic tale of lost love and political treachery during the rule of Oliver Cromwell. Available for the first time on record, Il proscritto marks Mercadante's return to the bel canto lyricism while retaining the harmonic and orchestra richness found in his "reform" operas.Leading Opera Rara's cast is Mexican tenor Ramón Vargas as Giorgio Argyll, who sings opposite Peruvian tenor Iván Ayón-Rivas, winner of 2021 Operalia competition, as his rival Arturo Murray. Their mutual love interest is Malvina Douglas sung by American mezzo-soprano Irene Roberts. Performing the opera's standout bravura aria, Elizabeth DeShong sings the role of Malvina's brother, Odoardo. The cast is completed by Elizabeth DeShong, Sally Matthews, Goderdzi Janelidze, Susana Gaspar, Niall Anderson and Alessandro Fisher.
