This is the first time I found myself bursting at the seams to review an audio opera before I finished listening - it IS a 3 disc set, after all; and more emotive,thrilling, goose bump joy than one can handle at one sitting. Don't be surprised if you have to let out a gasp and break away for a respite from the sensory overload. The liner notes/libretto describes it as page after page of penultimate Bel Canto from the era OF Bel Canto. This is the crown jewel from that era - an age when oil painting had reached its absolute, technically consummate skill level, and never to be reached again after the soon-to-be turn of the century... painting which makes today's million dollar canvases look like stagnant slurry by comparison. No wonder , then, that no one is really interested in what's at today's galleries and "haute couture" museums.
The libretto is well worth studying first, and attempting to follow; yet this task is daunting, owing to the constant, powerful undertow/riptide of just wanting to close one's eyes and glory in the music...storyline- shmoryline. You just want to be carried along this musical white water rafting experience...of course, with the periodic drifts through the placid, sparkling ponds.
I will have to return with a more cogent and descriptive review - namely about the great story. But I will say this about the libretto's antagonist...a smarmy brat who took over the kingdom while everyone was off to war; and upon the return, discovered that the King was deposed, (thought to be dead by our pair of bad boys taking over the country ). Zelmira is the King's daughter, and the wicked scheme is to pin the murders on her and finish off all "pretenders" to the throne in future. Happily, it turns out to be "curses, foiled again thanks to our spiffy good guy= Zelmira's returning war veteran husband.
I underscore this, for each word in the libretto is underscored by Rossini with the perfect tone, mood, tempo, key and melody line. There is every human emotion known to man here, and each emotion can be read by listening to the music alone. This is Rossini's genius - along with the phenomenal, "Is this guy ever going to quit creating utterly captivating tempo and melody?" No....he never stops. Even the recitatives serve as a prelude to next pictographic musical tableau.
Forgive this paltry review. I will try to compose myself and do this right next time. In the meantime, do overcome the reluctance to spend this amount on a "mere" little-known work, in audio only. It is a nicely done box set, and lovely libretto. There are places to buy one for about 38 samolians. It will be your favorite. You will not lend this one out.