Verdi - Luisa Miller
Afternoon on 3, Thursday Opera Matinee

In this afternoon's opera matinee, Penny Gore presents Verdi's Luisa Miller, a romantic opera full of passion and intrigue. It is the story of Luisa and Rodolfo's love, which is challenged by their families' different social standings and ultimately ends in tragedy. This afternoon's performance was recorded in November at the State Opera in Hamburg. It was directed by Andreas Homoki and the Hamburg State Opera is conducted by Simone Young. The Georgian coloratura soprano Nino Michaidze takes the title role and Rodolfo is sung by the Italian-born tenor Ivan Magri.

Presented by Penny Gore.

Verdi
Luisa Miller, opera in three acts

Miller, a retired soldier.... George Petean (baritone)
Luisa, his daughter.... Nino Michaidze (soprano)
Count Walter.... Tigran Martirossian (bass)
Rodolfo, his son.... Ivan Magri (tenor)
Federica, Duchess of Ostheim, Walter's Niece.... Christina Damian (contralto)
Wurm, Walter's steward.... Oliver Zwarg (bass)
Laura, a village girl.... Ida Aldrian (mezzo-soprano)
A Peasant.... Daniel Todd (tenor)

Hamburg State Opera Chorus
Hamburg State Opera Orchestra
Simone Young (conductor)

Recorded on 16 November 2014 at the State Opera, Hamburg.

Also - Verdi: Luisa Miller
Radio 3 Opera Guides

A guide to Verdi's opera Luisa Miller featuring opera historians Flora Willson, Sarah Lenton and Roger Parker

Plus: Images from the production (singers not credited)

Synopsis
ACT I. Tyrol, early 1700s. Luisa, daughter of an old soldier, is in love with a young man she knows as Carlo but who is actually Rodolfo, son of the local lord, Walter. The two lovers proclaim undying fidelity, but Miller, Luisa's father, is dubious, and his fears are confirmed when Walter's retainer, Wurm, who also loves Luisa and hopes to marry her, reveals Rodolfo's true identity.

In Walter's castle, Wurm tells his master of Rodolfo's love for Luisa. Walter resolves to end their relationship, because he hopes to have his son marry a widowed duchess, Federica. Left alone with her, Rodolfo reveals that he loves another, but the duchess, who has worshiped him since childhood, refuses to break their engagement.

At home, Miller tells Luisa that Rodolfo has deceived her and is about to contract a wealthy marriage. The young man, however, comes to plead his sincerity. When Walter storms in shortly afterward and is about to have both Luisa and her father consigned to prison, Rodolfo secures their freedom by threatening to reveal how his father, with Wurm's assistance, murdered his cousin to gain his present position.

ACT II. Luisa learns that her father has been jailed for insulting Walter. Wurm tells her the only way she can save Miller is to write a letter admitting she sought Rodolfo for his wealth, and pledging herself to Wurm. After doing his bidding, she learns she must go to the castle and declare her love for him before the duchess.

Wurm presents Luisa's letter to Walter, and the two plot to send it to Rodolfo. Wurm then brings in Luisa. Goaded on with threats by Wurm and Walter against her father, she professes her love for Wurm to Federica.

Rodolfo receives Luisa's letter in the castle courtyard. In despair he is about to attack Wurm when Walter appears and persuades him that marrying Federica will be the best way for him to avenge Luisa's treachery.

ACT III. Miller, released from prison, tries to comfort Luisa. The two agree to leave the village the next day. As Luisa prays, Rodolfo enters and pours a vial of poison into a decanter on the table. He confronts Luisa with the letter. When she cannot deny she wrote it, Rodolfo asks her to pour him a drink; when he says it tastes bitter, she swallows some too. Rodolfo tells Luisa the cup was poisoned, and she, released from her vow, tells him the truth. As Luisa expires in Miller's arms, Rodolfo, with a final effort, kills Wurm.

Media info:-

General
Format : MPEG Audio
Overall bit rate mode : Constant
Overall bit rate : 320 Kbps

Audio
Format : MPEG Audio
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : Layer 3
Mode : Joint stereo
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 320 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
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Writing library : LAME3.98r
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