Le cantatrici villane (The Boorish Singers) is a comic opera (dramma giocoso) in two acts composed by Valentino Fioravanti to a libretto by Giuseppe Palomba. It was first performed in Naples in 1799. A revised one act version premiered at the Teatro San Moisè in Venice as Le virtuose ridicole in 1801. An opera by Antonio Cagnoni based on the same libretto and entitled Don Bucefalo premiered in Milan in 1847.

Roles

Synopsis

The action takes place in 18th century Casoria, a village near Naples. Three country wenches (Agata, Giannetta and Rosa) have aspiration to become bel canto virtuose with the help of an ignorant choirmaster (Don Bucefalo) and another would be singer (Don Marco), but things get complicated with the unexpected return of bragging soldier and Rosa's jealous husband (Carlino).

Discography

Notes and references

Sources