I Puritani

For his final masterpiece before a premature death at age 34, Bellini created an opera that relies heavily on a quartet of superb bel canto singers. The story of I Puritani blends political intrigue with the joys and sorrows of young love, presenting ample opportunities for virtuosic display. In this performance, tenor Javier Camarena, as Arturo, delivers a mesmerizing rendition of his entrance aria “A te, o cara,” capping warm phrases with radiant high notes. Diana Damrau’s Elvira slowly unravels in three achingly beautiful mad scenes, while Alexey Markov brings his rich baritone to Riccardo, the unsuccessful suitor for Elvira’s hand. Luca Pisaroni is Elivira’s loving uncle Giorgio, and Maurizio Benini leads the Met Orchestra and Chorus in a score that combines martial vigor, melting lyricism, and spellbinding vocal pyrotechnics.