Umberto Giordano - Marina - Opera, a World, September 6^th, 2026

Umberto Giordano - Marina featuring: Eleonora Buratto, Freddie De Tommaso, Nicholas Mogg, Mihai Damian. The "Petruzzelli" Theatre Choir from Bari (instructed by Marco Medved), "I Pomeriggi Musicali" Orchestra, conductor Vincenzo Milletarì.

Premiere album, released on July 31^st, 2026

Here is a long-awaited edition, because I can finally offer you the recording of the opera Marina by Umberto Giordano, a world premiere, with baritone Mihai Damian being part of the cast. A premiere album on our frequencies, included in the "Discs of the Year 2026" project.

Marina is the first opera composed by Umberto Giordano, in 1888. The structure of the score was shaped by the criteria required by the competition organized by the famous publisher Sonzogno. Therefore, it is a one-act opera, with a libretto by Enrico Golisciani; however, it consists of 2 parts, separated by a prelude. Giordano was still a student, and his work did not win any prize, but it was rewarded with a diploma and was noticed by Sonzogno who would ask him to compose a new opera 4 years later, thus opening the path to success for Giordano. That new opera was Mala vita, and Giordano composed it based on musical material of Marina; this explains why Marina did not end up in any theatre repertoire as well as the editor's lack of interest in publishing it. But now, however, we relate differently to the past, and it is only natural to reconstruct a composer's entire journey, an undertaking that becomes a true adventure. Musicologist Andreas Gies recently discovered the handwritten manuscript, kept at the Yale University's library, the institution having acquired it in 1986 at an auction. How come? In the 1920s, Sondzogno's descendants sold their inheritance, making a profitable deal. Marina ended up in estranged hands, and some decades later, it ended up at the auction mentioned before. Now, for the first tie, the score has been published thanks to Gies, as the manuscript happened to contain the entire libretto, as well as the stage directions; these texts do not exist anywhere else. In February of this year Marina received its world premiere at Teatro dal Verme in Milan, though in a concert version, and it was during this period that the recording released by Decca on July 31^st was also released. This was an event covered by Radio Romania Muzical as well and I am convinced that the nominations for important international discography competitions will be announced soon; we also hope for a prize, because you will surely notice that this debut recording, that will inevitably become a benchmark for future releases, is truly a definitive one.

The plot, specific for the verismo style, recounts the love story that ends in tragedy: a Montenegrin woman and a Serbian man fall in love during the time when their nations were at war, both ending up killed by jealousy, with the criminal invoking patriotism as his justification.

Here is the cast: the soprano Eleonora Buratto playing the lead role, Marina - a young Montenegrin woman whose childhood has been very sad growing up without a mom. The artist took over the score only two weeks before the concert, replacing Sonya Yoncheva. I think that this choice was ideal, Eleonora Buratto's portrayal of Marina was exceptional thanks to her spinto voice, with a resonant lower register and piercing high notes, perfect for this score. The musician connected with the character's drama, authentically conveying a kaleidoscope of emotions of an impressive depth, reiterated expressed by incisive and poignant phrasing.

Tenor Freddie De Tommaso plays Giorgio, the Serbian soldier that Marina falls in love with. I am sure that you will appreciate his vocal style rooted in the Italian tradition, which is enchanting in both the lyrical pages and in the heroic ones.

Baritone Nicholas Mogg plays Daniele, Marina's brother. Giordano did not write an aria for him, but we can hear him in duets and some of the scenes, and the end of the tragedy belongs to him. A solid voice characterized by open emission and rough timbre, that both contrasts and harmonizes with Mihai Damian, especially since they have a few scenes together.

Last but not least, baritone Mihai Damian is also part of the cast, the artist from Cluj with a fulminant career rise. Here he plays Lambro, an individual who recalls the well-known negative characters of the verismo. He kills Giorgio out of jealousy, as well as Marina whose love he hopelessly yearned for. You cannot help but admire his elegant, long-breathed phrasing, his warm, sonorous timbre, alongside dramatic, impetuous intensities that can be noticed in both brindisi - especially in Canzone Montenigra. In guardia, o Serbia tiranna! -, and in the heinous finale.

The choir of the "Petruzzelli" Theatre in Bari is consistently present in the opera, on pages dedicated just to it, as well as in ensembles. Instructed by Marco Medved, the ensemble brings vigor and brilliance to the musical discourse.

"I Pomeriggi Musicali" Orchestra delights us right from the very first notes of the short introduction of the opera - a lavish cavalcade, presented brilliantly by the brass, percussion and later by the entire ensemble that will keep us focused throughout this musical thriller.

At the rostrum is conductor Vincenzo Milletarì. One can clearly notice the commitment with which he wants to render the meticulously prepared score as faithfully as possible.