The Donizetti Society has been established since 1973 and has regularly published Newsletters over that time. The following is the list of Newsletter content from 1994-1997. All the main articles from those newsletters have been included below.  Any missing pages are usually either photographs which were omitted in case of any copyright infringement or advertisements or other ephemeral material. You can use the "Find" facility, part of "Edit" on your browser, to search for keywords within each of those pages as well as using the Search facility on the Home page. Articles are in English unless stated otherwise.

 

Newsletters for 1994 (61-63)

Newsletters for 1995 (64-66)

Newsletters for 1996 (67-69)

Newsletters for 1997 (70-72)

 

1994

Newsletter 61, January 1994

- The Ca'Doritina by Brian Thornton (p.3)
 Short note on the country retreat of the Contessa Rosa, friend of Donizetti. See here

- Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis, il soprano donizettiano by Giorgio Appolonia (in Italian)  (p.4)
First article on the soprano who sang in several Donizetti premiéres together with her appearances in Donizetti operas. The second article is in the next Newsletter. See here.

- The 1993 Wexford Festival Operas by Philip G. Gormley (p.8)
 An article on the staging of Paisiello The Barber of Seville and Herold's Zampa at Wexford. See here.

- Saverio Mercadante, Il Giuramento by William Desniou (in French)  (p.10)
Article on a performance at the Théâtre Graslin, Nantes November 14, 1993 together with a list of productions during the last century. See here

- Medea von Giovanni Pacini by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German) (p.13)
 Article on a staging at the Opera Giocosa, Savona, October 5, 1993. See here.

- Recordings (p.16)
Review  by Alexander Weatherson of Gaetano Donizetti  Rita, Il Pigmalione, L'Olimpiade, La bella prigioniera, Bongiovanni GB 2109-10.  See here.

- Books (p.17)
Review  by Piero Mioli of Giorgio Appolonia Le voci di Rossini published by Edizioni Eda, Torino, 1992. See here.

- Bergamo, Musical notices from Città e Provincie by Brian Thornton  (p.17)
Article on various events in Bergamo, both contemporary and historic. See here.  

 

Newsletter 62, May 1994 

- Il vedovo solitario by Alexander Weatherson (p. 3)
An article on the genesis of this opera, once said to be by Donizetti.  The article may be found here.

- Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis, il soprano donizettiano by Giorgio Appolonia (in Italian) (p.6)
Second article (the first one in the previous Newsletter) on the soprano who sang in several Donizetti premiéres together with her appearances in Donizetti operas. See here.

- Gaetano Donizetti Maria Stuarda by Alexander Weatherson (p. 10)
An article on the staging at the Teatro Comunale, Bologna, February 9, 1994. See here.

- La Fille du régiment en el Liceo de Barcelona by Jorge Binaghi (in Spanish). (p.11).  See here

- Giuseppe Verdi Stiffelio by William Desniou (in French)
Article on a performance at the Grand Théâtre, Reims,  March 6, 1994.  See here .

- Books   See here
Review  by Clarissa Lablache Cheer of Dudley Cheke, Joséphine and Emilie: Stars of Bel Canto in Europe and America, 1823-1889 published by Jon Carpenter, Oxford, 1993

Review  by Francois L. Nouvion of John Frederick Cone, Adelina Patti: Queen of Spades published by Amadeus Press, Oregon

Review  by Francois L. Nouvion of John Steane, The Grand Tradition, seventy years of singing on Record 1900-1970 published by Amadeus Press, Oregon

- Arthur Sullivan by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German)
Short note on Meinhard Saremba's book on Sir Arthur Sullivan.  See here.

- Bergamo, Musical notices from Città e Provincie by Brian Thornton (p.16)
Article on various events in Bergamo, both contemporary and historic.  See here.

 

Newsletter 63, September 1994

 - Caterina Cornaro by Nicola Lischi-Mungai (in Italian) (p.3)
 Article on a performance of Donizetti's opera at Carnegie Hall, New York, April 13, 1994. See here

- Antonio Carlos Gomes Il Guarany by Alexander Weatherson (p.4)
An article on the staging at Oper der Stadt Bern, June 20, 1994.  See here.

- Gaetano Donizetti Don Pasquale by William Desniou (in French) (p. 5)
 Article on a performance at the Salle Favart, Paris,  May 13 & 16, 1994. See here.

- Gioacchino Rossini Otello by Alexander Weatherson (p. 6)
An article on the staging at Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels, March 5, 1994.  See here .

- Giuseppe Verdi I Lombardi  by Piero Mioli (in Italian) (p. 9)
Report on a performance at Bologna April 15, 1994.  See here.

- Pensa alla Patria by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German) (p. 7)
Report on a concert of Rossini's music at the 1994 Pesaro Festival.  See here.

- Recordings by Tom Kaufman (p. 10)
Review of Coccia's Caterina di Guisa on Bongiovanni GB 2117-18.  See here.

- Books: reviews by Tom Kaufman (p. 12)
Includes reviews of Charles Osborne's The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini, Adrienne Simpson, The Greatest Ornaments of their Profession - the New Zealand Tours by the Simonsen Opera Companies, 1876-1889 and Katherine Preston, Opera on the Road - Traveling Opera Troupes in the United States, 1825 - 60, Gaspare Nello Vetro, Lucrezia Agujari-la "Bastardella" and B. Cassinelli, A. Maltempi and M. Pozzoni, Rubini, L'Uomo e l'Artista.   See here.

- Bergamo: Musical notices from Città e Provincie by Brian Thornton (p.18)
Article on various events in Bergamo, both contemporary and historic.  See here.

 

1995

Newsletter 64, January 1995

- The revival of the music of Mayr in the 20th century (p. 3)
Listing of performances of his work. See here

- Olivo e Pasquale by Alexander Weatherson (p.8)  
An article on the staging at the Teatro Coccia, November 11, 1994.  See here.

- Olivo e Pasquale bby Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German)  (p.10)
Article on a staging at the Teatro Sociale, Como, November 4, 1994. See here

- Bergamo: Musical notices from Città e Provincie by Brian Thornton (p.12)
Article on various events in Bergamo, both contemporary and historic.  See here.

- Brief description of a new book Il Caso Saliero by Vittoro Della Croce and Francesco Blanchetti (p. 14)
See here..

 

Newsletter 65, May 1995

-- Diary of events in 1995

- Giuseppe Verdi Oberto conte di San Bonifacio by Robert Barnard (p.5)
An article on the staging at the Grand Theatre, Leeds, January 20 & 24, 1995.  See here

- Gaetano Donizetti L'elisir d'amore by J. Malcolm Nicholson (p.5)
 An article on the staging at the Grand Opera House Belfast, March 9, 1995. See here

- Gaetano Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor by William Desniou (in French) (p.7)
Article on a performance at the péra-Bastille, Paris,  February 14 1995, See here

- Vincenzo Bellini, Il pirata by William Desniou (in French) (p.9)
Article on performances at the Grand héâtre, Tours, January 20 & 22, 1995. See here

- Leo Delibes Lakmé by Alexander Weatherson (p.10)
Article on performance at the Saint-Etienne péra,  April 9 1995.  See here

- Il convitato di Pietro vvon Giacomo Tritto by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German)  (p.11)
Article on a staging at the Teatro del Corte, Naples, February 4, 1995. See here

 - Norma en Barcelona: el Liceo sigue vivo by Jorge Binaghi (in Spanish)  (p.13) .  See here

- Albin Haenseroth, entre Barcelona y Hamburgo by Jorge Binaghi (in Spanish) (p.13).  See here.

- Recordings
Review of The Heroic Bel Canto Tenor, Philips 434 102 by  Tom Kaufman (p.15)
      Collection of arias sung by Chris Merritt, plus a short note on the tenor by Clarissa Lablache Cheer (p.16).
      See here

- Books  (p.16)
Review of Enzo Dara, Anche il buffo nel suo piccolo published by Sannicandro Garganico, 1994. See here

- Bergamo: Musical notices from Città e Provincie by Brian Thornton (p.17)
Article on various events in Bergamo, both contemporary and historic.  See here.

 

Newsletter 66, October 1995

- Obituary of Don White - Clarissa Lablache Cheer

- A Donizettian début "Oh come palpita il cor nel seno" by Alexander Weatherson (p.3)
Article on probably the earliest known composition by Donizetti for his school concert. See here.

- Donizetti in New York by Nicola Lischi Mungai (p.6)
An interview with Eve Queler, director of the Opera Orchestra of New York. See here

- Donizetti in Sweden by Reto Müller (in German) (p.10)
Article on Donizetti's Il fortunato ingannoperformed at Vadstena, Sweden, August 6, 1995.  Also a synopsis of the opera.  See here.

- Il fortunato inganno revived in Sweden by John Stewart Allitt (p.14)
Another view on the Swedish production of Donizetti's early Il fortunato ingannoopera. See here

- Il puritaniby Nicola Lischi-Mungai (in Italian) (p.17)
An article on the "Malibran version" of Bellini's opera given in Carnegie Hall, New York, May 8, 1995. See here

- Gioacchino Rossini Guillaume Tellby Robert Barnard.(p.18)
An article on the staging at the Palafestival, Pesaro, August 1995. See here

- Caritea, Regina di Spagnaby Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German). (p.19)
Article on Mercadante's opera revived at Martina Franca, July 22 & 24, 1995.  The performance was recorded see Newsletter 69. See here

-Books (p.21)
Review of John Stewart Allitt Giovanni Simone Mayr: vita musica pensiero  Edizioni Villadiseriane, Villa di Serio, 1995  by Alexander Weatherson. See here

- Recordings (p.22)
Review of Giovanni Pacini Medea, Arkadia AK 146.2 by  Tom Kaufman.  See here

 

1996

Newsletter 67, February 1996

- Fanny Tacchinardi Persiani by Giorgio Appolonia (in Italian) (p.6)
Article on the soprano probably best known as the first Lucia. See here.

- Conferences and Farces by John Stewart Allitt (p.8)
Article on some of Mayr's farces. See here

- Giuseppe Verdi, Nabucco by William Desniou (in French) (p.10)
Article on performances at the Opéra national de la Bastille, Paris, September 1995. See here

- Daniel François Esprit Auber, Le Domino noirby William Desniou (in French) (p.11)
Article on performances at the Théâtre Impérial, Compiègne, October 8, 1995 plus a discography of Auber's works. See here.

- Caterina Cornaro by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German) (p.14)
Article on a performance of Donizetti's opera in Bergamo, September 24, 1995.  See here

- The recording of Donizetti's String Quartets by John Stewart Allitt (p.16)
Recordings by the Revolutionary Drawing Room, see the Recordings page.  See here

- Book review by Tom Kaufman (p.17)
Review of Robert Pullen and Stephen Taylor: Montserrat Caballé - Casta Diva, published by Victor Gollancz, London 1994.  See here

- Duecento candeline per Don Severio by Fulvio Stefano Lo Presti (in Italian) (p.19)
Overview of Mercadante's works.  See here

- Master and Pupil by Marigold Mann (p.21)
Short note on Donizetti's Betly Holland Park, London, 1995 and Mayr's Mass at St Augustine's, Queensgate, June 1995. See here

- Bergamo, Musical notices from Città e Provincie by Brian Thornton (p.21)
Article on various events in Bergamo, both contemporary and historic.  See here

 

Newsletter 68, June 1996

- Past, Present and Proposed by Pip Clayton (p.3)
Article on the Tabor Opera House, Leadville, Colorado. See here

- Gaetano Donizetti, Les Martyrs by William Desniou (in French) (p.5)
Article on performances of the opera at Nancy Opéra, February 23 & 25, 1996.  See here

- Gaetano Donizetti, Les Martyrs by Alexander Weatherson (p.7)
Another view on the same production at Nancy, February 25, 1996.  See here

- Gaetano Donizetti, Roberto Devereux by Robert Barnard / Keith Larsen (p. 8)
Two reviews of the opera at the Royal Northern College of Music, March 10 & 21, 1996.  See here and here.

- Anna Bolena by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German) (p.10)
Article on Donizetti's opera performed at the Stadttheater Biel/Bienne (Bern), March 8, 1996.  See here

- Diptico Verdiano by Jorge Binaghi (in Spanish) (p.12)
Article on a performances of Verdi's Giovanni d'Arco at the Palau de la Musica, Barcelona, Il Corsaro at the Teatro Regio, Turin and Otelloat Salzburg.  See here.

- L'elisir d'amore en medio de la crisis by Jorge Binaghi (in Spanish) (p.13)
AArticle on a performance of Donizetti's opera at Liege. See here

- Palermo e 'opera semiseria by Sergio Albertini (in Italian) (p.14)
Rossini's La gazza ladra at the Teatro Politeana, Palermo, January 1996. See here

- Books by Tom Kaufman (p.15)
Short descriptions of Alfredo Grandini, Cronache musicali del Petrarca di Arezzo - il primo cinquantennio (1833-1882), published by Olschki, Florence, 1995 and Danilo Rupi Rassegna degli Spettacoli dei primi 150 anni (1833-1983), published by Calosci, Cortona, 1994. See here.

- Description of Charles Neilson Gattey, Luisa Tetrazzini - The Florentine Nightingale published by Scolar Press, Aldershot. See here.

- Bernardo de Muro by Robert Pourvoyeur (in French) (p.17)
Article on the Italian tenor.  See here

- Elisabeth Rogeboz-Malfroy, Ambroise Thomas, published by Editions Cêtre, Besançon  (p.18)
Book review by Tom Kaufman. See here.

- Robert Pourvoyeur, Offenbach, published by Solfèges  (p. 18)
Book review by Giorgio Appolonia. See here

- Gaetano Donizetti Anna Bolena. (p.20)
Review of a recording with Gruberova on Nightingale Classics NC070565-2 by Alexander Weatherson. See here

 

Newsletter 69, October 1996

-Past, Present and Proposed No. 2 by Pip Clayton (p.3)
Article on the Manoel and Massimo Theatres, Valletta, Malta including pictures. See here
In Newsletter 70, Dr Gruber provided a list of Donizetti operas performed in Malta from 1826 to 1988, see here. 

- Domenica Reina (Lugano, July 14, 1796 - Milan, July 29, 1843) nel bicentenario della nascita by Giorgio Appolonia (in Italian) (p.6)
Article on the career of the tenor Domenica Reina. See here

- Lablache and the Italian Singers in Russia by Clarissa Lablache Cheer (p.8)
Article on the career of the bass Lablache and other singers who visited Russia in the middle of the19th century. See here

- Bel canto à Paris et sa région by William Desniou (in French) (p.12)
Article on performances of Il barbiere di Siviglio, Il turco in Italia, La Cenerentola, L'inganno felice, Norma, Lucia di Lammermoor, L'elisir d'amoreand Maria Stuarda. See here.

- Die Oper in der Türkei unter besonderer Berucksichtigung des Einflusses von Gaetano und Giuseppe Donizetti by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German) (p.16)
Article on opera in Turkey with particular reference to the influence of Gaetano Donizetti and his the brother Giuseppe. See here

- Books (p.18)
Review by Thomas Lindner (in German) of Matteo Summa: Bravo Mercadante. Le ragioni di un denio, published by Schena editore, Fasano, 1995.  See here

Review by Alexander Weatherson of Gian-Luca Petrucci: Saverio Mercadante l'ultimo dei cinque re, published by Editoriale Pantheon, Roma, 1995. See here

- Recordings by Tom Kaufman (p.21)
Review of Mercadante's Caritea, Regina di Spagna from the 1995 Martina Franca performance, Nuova Era 7258/60.  See here

- Lucrezia Borgia by Nicola Lischi Mungai (p.22)
Article on performances by Opera Manhattan, New York, June 14 & 18, 1996. See here

- Federico Ricci by Bruce Brewer (in French) (p.24)
Review of Ricci's opera La prigione di Edimburgo at the Théâtre de Domfront, May 4 & 5, 1996.See here .
For a later article on this opera and details of its recording see Alexander Weatherson in Newsletter 90.

- Gaetano Donizetti Linda di Chamounix by Marigold Mann (p.25)
Review of a performance at the Guildhall School of Music, June 6, 1996.  See here

 

1997

Newsletter 70, February 1997

-Mayr's Cantatas by John Stewart Allitt
Article on Mayr's cantatas, see here. See the Mayr web page  for details of recordings and references to Allitt's more detailed publications.

- Donizetti's Operas in Malta  by Dr. Günter R Gruber
List  of Donizetti operas performed in Malta 1826  - 1988, supplied as an appendix to Pip Clayton's article in Newsletter 69. See here

- Giovanni Pacini L'ultimo giorno di Pompei, Nicola Vaccai Giulietta e Romeo by Alexander Weatherson
Article on Pacini's opera revived at the Teatro Massimo Bellini, Catania September 24 & 26, 1996 and Vaccai's opera revived at the Teatro Pergolesi, Jesi, October 4 & 6, 1996. See here.  A fuller article on Vaccai by Alexander Weatherson entitled "Vaccai: un capolavoro decapitato (The headless masterpiece)" may be found here .

- Maria di Rohan oder il Conte di Chalais by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German)
Article on a concert performance of Donizetti's opera at the Konzerthaus, Vienna, December 6, 1996.  Includes a list of 20th century performances. See here

- Parisina d'Este by Philip G. Gormley
Article on the Wexford Festival's production of Donizetti's opera, October 17, 1996. See here

- Aureliano in Wildbad by Fulvio Stefano Lo Presti (in Italian)
Article on a revival of Rossini's Aureliano in Palmira at the 1996 Wildbad Festival, see here.

- Matilde di Shabran by Alex Liddell
Article on the Pesaro Festival's production of Rossini's opera, August, 13-23, 1996. See here

- Books
Reviews of Verdi's Tutti I libretti d'opera, edited by Piero Mioli with an introduction by Gustavo Marchesi and published by Grandi Tascabili Economici Newton and Gaspare Nello Vetro Antonio Carlos Gomes: Il Guarany. See last page of here and here.

  

Newsletter 71, May 1997

- Past, Present and Proposed No. 3 by Pip Clayton
Article on the Scotland Yard Opera House and remarks on its founder "Colonel" Mapleson. See here

- Ricordo di Antonio Cagnoni nel centenario della morte, Vigevano, December 11, 1996 by Mario Mainino (in Italian)
Article on the composer Cagnoni together with a list of his works. See here. He contributed to the multi-composer Requiem per Rossini organised by Verdi (Lyrica, LRC 01027, also on Hanssler Classics)

- Gaetano Donizetti Parisina  by Alexander Weatherson
Article on a concert performance of the opera in Lugano, January 19, 1997. See here

- Donizetti et Bellini à Reims by William Desniou (in French)
Article on performances of Don Pasquale and Norma. See here

- Gaetano Donizetti, Anna Bolena by William Desniou (in French)
Article on performances of Anna Bolena Toulon Opéra, November 8 & 10, 1996. See here

- An Echt Martyrs by Alexander Weatherson
Article on the revival of Les Martyrs at the Teatro Municiple Valli, Reggio Emilia, March 11 & 12, 1997. See here.

- Donizettis Einkünfte in Wien in den Jahren 1842-1845  by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German)
Article on Donizetti's earning in Vienna 1842-42 together with menu and wine list of the time. See here

- Advertisement for a book The Royal Opera House Malta by Joseph Bonnici and Michael Cassar, Gutenberg Press, Malta, Cat. No. DDC 725. 822'0945585.

 

Newsletter 72, October 1997

- Linda goes mad in Bologna by Alexander Weatherson
Article on Donizetti's opera Linda di Chamounix staged in Bologna on April 27, 1997. See here

- A Torino un Devereux di grand annata by Fulvio Stefano Lo Presti (in Italian)
Article on a revival of Roberto Devereux at the Teatro Regio, Turin. See here

- Donizettis Gianni da Calais  by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German)
Article on a revival of the opera by Leeds Youth Opera in Leeds Civic Theatre, July 4/5, 1997. See here

- Leeds Youth Opera production of Gianni da Calais  (as"The Buccaneer") by Marigold Mann
Another view on the Leeds production. See here

- Short note by Pip Clayton on the above production of Gianni da Calais, see end of article here

- Lucie de Lammermoor  by Dr. Günter R Gruber (in German)
Article on the French version of Lucia at Martina Franca, July 28, 1997. See here

- Pacini's L'ultimo giorno di Pompei in Martina Franca 1996 by Thomas Lindner
Interview of Maestro Giuliano Carella, the opera's conductor, by Thomas Lindner. See here

- Giovanni Pacini: Life and Works Catania,1796 - Pescia, 1867 by Thomas Lindner
Article outlining Pacini's life and works together with discography and suggested articles. See here

- First Recording by Alexander Weatherson
Review of the Martina Franca production of Pacini's L'ultimo giorno di Pompei on Dynamic CDS178. See here

- "Son regina, son guerriera", ovvero esiste grazie a dio la provincia by Giancarlo Landini (in Italian)
Article on events to mark the bicentenary of Guiditta Pasta's birth. See here

- La Dame blanche by William Desniou (in French)
Article on Boieldieu's opera at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, April 25 & 27, 1997 together with a list of recordings. See here

- Eduardo e Cristina by William Desniou (in French)
Article on Rossini's opera at Bad Wildbad, July 24 & 26, 1997. See second half of article here

- Rossini's Eduardo e Cristina by Alex Liddell
Another view on the revival of Rossini's opera at Bad Wildbad. See here

- Advertisement for Opera con Brio courses on Donizetti and Bellini

- Roma en el bicentenario de Donizetti by Jorge Binaghi (in Spanish)
Short note on Maria Stuarda in Rome. See here