Liszt - Spirto gentil aus der Oper La favorite von Donizetti, S400a (Wolfram)

Donizetti's opera La Favorite, first staged in Paris in 1840, was a reworking of his L'ange de Nisida, itself derived from earlier work. Wagner made a piano score of the opera, and it was from this that Liszt drew for his transcription of the popular cavatina 'Spirto gentil'. The mistress of King Alfonso, Leonora, is to marry Ferdinand, once a novice at Compostela, but in love with her, although ignorant of her relationship with the King. When he realises the situation, Ferdinand rejects the honours the King has bestowed on him and returns to the cloister. In the fourth act he sings of his sorrow in 'Spirto gentil'. Leonora, disguised as a novice, tries to tell Ferdinand of her earlier attempts to reveal to him the truth, revives his love, but dies in his arms.

Nothing of the background to Liszt's transcription is known, but it must rank among the most simple and beautiful elaborations of a great melody.

Видео Liszt - Spirto gentil aus der Oper La favorite von Donizetti, S400a (Wolfram) канала Andrei Cristian Anghel