Gramophone Magazine
March 2024
Blu-ray of the Month

Angela Vallone (Livia), Bianca Tognocchi (Madame Brillante), Theo Lebow (Sumers), Iurii Samoilov (Milord Arespingh), Gordon Bintner (Don Polidoro), Frankfurter Opern-Und Museumsorchester, Leo Hussain

L’Italiana in Londra was Domenico Cimarosa’s first international triumph, thrilling audiences all over Europe after its premiere in 1778. It later became eclipsed by the even bigger success of Il matrimonio segreto however, and has become a rarity on stage today. Set in a London hotel, this cheerful ‘Intermezzo in musica’ has cleverly crafted arias, duets and ensembles that drive the plot along, the story being one of thwarted love, quarrels and misunderstandings. L’Italiana in Londra has been summed up by director R.B. Schlather as ‘incredibly charming and sophisticated ... demanding, dark, dirty and very funny ... an impeccable rom-com.’

"Working as a close-knit team, the young cast are personable and camera-friendly, and create something individual from their stereotyped characters. All are nimble movers and use their words vividly." - Gramophone Magazine, March 2024