A Modern Premiere in Germany
Pacini’s Medea Brought to Life
Giovanni Pacini’s Medea, revised by Luca Bianchini and Anna Trombetta, made its modern premiere in Germany at the Theater für Niedersachsen. This monumental work was performed in full, marking a triumphant revival of Pacini’s forgotten genius.
Mozart: The Fall of the Gods
This book offers a fresh and critical look at the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, challenging the myths that have surrounded him for centuries. We strip away the romanticised image of the “natural genius” and delve into the contradictions within Mozart’s extensive biographies. Backed by nearly 2,000 meticulously sourced citations, this work invites readers to explore a deeper, more complex understanding of Mozart. Perfect for those who wish to question the traditional narrative, this biography is a must-read for serious music lovers and historians.
"Pacini’s Medea returns to the stage, reminding us that some of the most powerful operatic works have yet to receive the recognition they deserve."
@MozartrazoM
For the first time in Germany, Giovanni Pacini’s monumental opera Medea has been performed in a modern premiere at the Theater für Niedersachsen in Hildesheim. This captivating work, filled with both horror and compassion, was masterfully revived thanks to the new edition transcribed and revised by musicologists Luca Bianchini and Anna Trombetta. The edition, comprising nearly 1,500 pages of score and sheet music, restores the grandeur of Pacini’s forgotten masterpiece.
The opera, which was performed in its entirety under the baton of Maestro Florian Ziemen, received enthusiastic acclaim during its premiere, with several more performances scheduled in the weeks following. Originally premiered in 1843 to great success, Medea once again demonstrated its powerful impact on audiences, blending dramatic intensity with Pacini’s masterful composition.
This modern revival highlights how Pacini, unjustly neglected in music history, deserves to stand among the greats of opera. The character of Medea, both terrifying and pitiful, remains one of the most complex and fascinating figures in opera, and Pacini’s setting captures every nuance of this tragic tale.
You May Also Like
The Vienna Disaster
The failure of La Finta Semplice in Vienna was a turning point for the Mozart family, revealing the cracks in the facade of Wolfgang’s prodigious reputation and prompting a desperate escape to Italy in search of redemption.
The Myth of Mozart’s Sight-Reading Genius
Mozart’s so-called sight-reading miracles were less about supernatural talent and more about clever improvisation, as two key 18th-century witnesses make clear.
The Hidden Legacy of Michael Haydn
Mozart’s Symphony No. 37, K.444, is more Haydn than Mozart. How did this happen? A story of deception and misattribution unfolds.
The Myth of Mozart’s Education
For centuries, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been celebrated as a musical prodigy, effortlessly composing masterpieces from a young age. However, when we peel back the layers of myth surrounding his early education, a different picture emerges—one in which his father, Leopold Mozart, plays a far more controlling and influential role than is often acknowledged. This article explores the true nature of Mozart’s education, examining how much of his early works can be attributed to his own genius, and how much was the product of his father’s meticulous and often self-serving guidance. Was Wolfgang’s brilliance entirely his own, or was it a crafted image designed by Leopold?
The Myth of Mozart’s Childhood
Mozart’s childhood is often romanticised, but behind the myth lies a more complex reality. This post explores the hidden dynamics within his family, questioning the traditional narrative of Mozart's early years and shedding light on the forgotten role of his sister,...
Bohemia or Moravia: Reconfiguring Music History
Why does music history insist on an Austrian narrative, when the contributions of other nations are just as crucial?