Il Belcanto Italiano 2025

Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia, Italy. Monday 23-June-2025.

For the third year running we went for an evening of operatic arias with friends in the luxurious setting of Masseria Torre Maizza. The tickets included a glass of sparkling wine and nibbles.

This year the singers were definitely acting out the scenes as well as singing. Previously they had simply stood and sung, this year we got the full hand jive version. We speculated that the tenor was new and maybe not had time to memorise the libretto as he was consulting with his tablet most of the time. The baritone had a powerful, clear voice and a good Italian accent. When the soprano hit the big notes she really filled the space.

The nibbles were tasty but small. The wine was delicious, but as a designated driver I had to limit myself to one glass. You can stay in the Masseria itself for €1379 per night but that does include breakfast. I should hope so too!

We were treated to a mixture of solos, duets in various combinations and a trio. 

The singers are all from the Accademia del Belcanto "Rodolfo Celletti" in Martina Franca which aims to coach promising youngsters. We had an international cast (from L to R: Irish, Greek, French, Italian).

The full programme:

• Gioachino Rossini da Il barbiere di Siviglia:
  "Ecco ridente in cielo"
  Joaquin Cangemi, tenore 
• Vincenzo Bellini da I puritani:
  "Ah! Per sempre io ti perdei"
  Konstantinos Stafylides, baritono 
• Gaetano Donizetti da Lucrezia Borgia:
  "Com'è bello, quale incanto"
  Gesua Gallifoco, soprano 
• Gioachino Rossini da Il barbiere di Siviglia:
  "All'idea di quel metallo"
  Joaquín Cangemi, tenore Konstantinos Stafylides, baritono 
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart da Don Giovanni:
  "Fuggi, crudele, fuggi..."
  Gesua Gallifoco, soprano Joaquín Cangemi, tenore 
• Gaetano Donizetti da Don Pasquale:
  "Bella siccome un angelo"
  Konstantinos Stafylides, baritono 
• "Quel guardo il cavaliere"
  Gesua Gallifoco, soprano 
• "Pronta io son!"
  Gesua Gallifoco, soprano Konstantinos Stafylides, baritono 
• Gaetano Donizetti da L'elisir d'amore:
  "Una furtiva lagrima"
  Joaquin Cangemi, tenore 
• Frasier Hickland, pianoforte.

Then down to the coast for a late supper at Osteria del Porto, Savelletri.

Previous visits: [2023][2024].