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
Debunking the Romantic Virtuoso Image
The image of Mozart as a Romantic-era virtuoso is a misleading anachronism, fuelled by 19th-century propaganda. Wolfgang was no transcendental pianist, but a product of an era where music was more galant than heroic.
The Visit to Verona
In Verona, young Wolfgang Mozart impressed the local nobility, but the reality behind the scenes reveals a carefully managed public image, where strategic networking and curated praise played key roles in shaping his growing reputation.
Mozart’s Training
The myth of Mozart’s genius is nothing more than a carefully crafted illusion, propped up by misplaced attributions and romanticised biographies. Behind his so-called brilliance lies the reality of his father’s dominating influence and a lack of formal education.
From London to Vienna
The Mozart family’s journey from London to Vienna was marked by illness, failed opportunities, and the relentless ambition of Leopold Mozart, revealing the pressures and challenges behind the facade of success.
The Ambiguous Legacy of Leopold Mozart
This post explores the multifaceted and often controversial life of Leopold Mozart, providing insight into the complexities and contradictions that defined his career and legacy.
Mozart’s Illusory Triumphs
The story of the young Mozart’s so-called triumphs at the courts of Europe is a tale riddled with embellishments, half-truths, and fabrications—many courtesy of Leopold Mozart himself and those who later sought to mythologize his son. One such example is the visit to Munich on 12 January 1762.