The few selections that are indicated in the libretto as being available on MP3 are taken from
two sources.
"Highlights from "Unique Opera Records" (UORC - 202), produced 1974 - a vinyl disc taken from a live performance, probably 1969. Consisting mainly of the duets between the protagonists in Acts I and III, it also features
the Prologue and the opening to Act III, with the mariner's chorus.
Orchestra and chorus conducted by Vittorio Gui. Note that some references state that Guarnera sings the role of Ariofarne; this is incorrect, as the only baritone role in these excerpts, while extensive, is that of the voice that comes over the lagoon, piloting a boat in Act III.
There is more about this recording to be found here.
The end of Act II is a spectacular danse-chantant, supposedly one of the high points in the
productions ("let the orgies begin!" is a line shortly before it). The recording is unique and
extraordinary, originating during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera house, recorded by Lionel
Mapleson on a cylinder recorder, situated either in the wings or in the flies. Since he runs out of
wax a minute before the end, there is a gap—allowing Mapleson to change cylinders—and then
the end of the number, with some subsequent applause. Conducted by the composer, it was performed and
recorded live around January, 1903.
The quality of these recordings is not terribly good, mainly because the source material traveled from
vinyl to audio cassette, to Sound Forge, to .wav, to MP3. Eventually it will be
possible to post better quality recordings, making them more direct.
The piano/vocal score was published by Novello in 1898, which included the libretto in Italian and English. The Aeolian company published three selections on paper pianola rolls:
30433 Hero and Leander. Prologue
30440 Hero & Leander. Act 2, The Sacred Dance
10219 Scene Veneziane. No. I, Carnovale
However, the last selection does not seem to be part of Ero e Leandro; until someone listens to this number, it remains a possibility that it is a misnomer or another work altogether.
- BOTTESINI -
Boito originally offered the libretto to several composers, among them Giovanni Bottesini, a famous contrabass player and composer.
If you are interested in hearing some arias from the Bottesini version of Boito's libretto, you may hear them below.
Despite the fact that they are well-made and interesting in their own right, it is very peculiar for someone who knows the Mancinelli version to hear the same libretto to music that seems so ... off base.
