La pietra del paragone (The Touchstone), a story of three rival women and their pursuit of marriage to Count Asdrubale, is unique in the sense that no other opera of Rossini's has been so highly praised in the literature on the subject and yet so seldom performed. The better known Il barbiere di Siviglia brought a series of stage successes without comparison, and so shaped the fate of La pietra. That it could not be counted among the first rank of Rossini operas meant that for nearly two centuries it had no place, not even a modest one, on the stage. It does, however, thoroughly deserve it's reputation and marks a unique phase of Rossini's development as a master of opera buffa. His genius for melody and sparkling, witty orchestration are already apparent in this relatively early work.
11 Recitativo: Dove Mai Si Caccio?/Aria: Ombretta Sdegnosa Del Missipipi
12 Recitativo: Bravissimo! Il Conte Appunto E Qua
13 Quartetto: Voi Volete, E Non Volete
14 Recitativo: Ma Che Sestina
15 Aria: Chi E Colei Che S'avvicina
16 Coro: Il Conte Asdrubale
- Disc 2 -
1 Recitativo: Perche Fuggir?
2 Su Queste Piante Incisi
3 Oh Caso Orribile!
4 Non Serve a Vil Politica
5 Marchesina... Contessina
6 Viva! Viva!
- Disc 3 -
1 Introduzione: Lo Stranier Con Le Pive in Sacco
2 Recitativo: Eppur Ciascun Di Loro
3 Coro Di Cacciatori: A Caccia, O Mio Signore
4 Temporale
5 Oh Come Il Fosco Impetuoso Nembo
6 Quell' Alme Pupille
7 Recitativo: Ehi... Giocondo.../Quintetto: Spera Se Vuoi, Ma Taci
8 Recitativo: Ah! Donna Fulvia
9 Aira: Pubblico Fu L' Oltraggio
10 Recitativo: MacRobio. Signor
11 Terzetto: Prima Fra Voi Coll' Armi
12 Recitativo: Menzognero, Impostor!
13 Marcia, Scena Ed Aria: Se L' Itale Contrade
14 Recitativo: Che Ne Dite MacRobio
15 Ah! Se Destarti in Seno
16 Ah! Signor Capitan
17 Voi Clarice?
La pietra del paragone (The Touchstone), a story of three rival women and their pursuit of marriage to Count Asdrubale, is unique in the sense that no other opera of Rossini's has been so highly praised in the literature on the subject and yet so seldom performed. The better known Il barbiere di Siviglia brought a series of stage successes without comparison, and so shaped the fate of La pietra. That it could not be counted among the first rank of Rossini operas meant that for nearly two centuries it had no place, not even a modest one, on the stage. It does, however, thoroughly deserve it's reputation and marks a unique phase of Rossini's development as a master of opera buffa. His genius for melody and sparkling, witty orchestration are already apparent in this relatively early work.
