Carlos Gomes Overtures and Preludes - From Italy to Brazil

I had a devilish thought listening to this album. I'd like to play some selections from it for a dyed-in-the-wool opera lover I know. And challenge them to identify the opera. Or at the very least, the composer. 

Is that from a forgotten opera by Verdi? No, it's from "Lo Schiavo." What about this track? Is it perhaps Rossini? Nope, it's the sinfonia from "O Guarani." 

And as Italian as they sound, these works are actually by a Brazilian composer -- Carlos Gomes.

Granted, Gomes' career path was quite unusual. By age 28, Gomes had composed two successful operas. He received a Royal scholarship and journeyed to Italy. There he wrote "O Guarani," based on a novel by a Brazilian opera.

Italian critics raved, and Victor Emmanuel II decorated Gomes. He spent the rest of his life traveling back and forth between Italy and Brazil. And Gomes was held in high esteem in both countries. Verdi considered him a musical genius. 

This release presents overtures and preludes from his eight operas. And they are exceptional. Gomes had a natural melodic gift. Gomes used Brazilian subjects more than once. But his style is firmly entrenched in Italian operatic tradition. 

The Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra performs these works admirably. This is music that was meant to sing, and the ensemble delivers. Conductor Fabio Mechetti keeps the drama high, and the climaxes big. As they should be. 

I'm curious now to hear more by Gomes -- especially some of his complete operas. But for now, this album will do quite nicely. 

Carlos Gomes: Opera Overtures and Preludes
Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra; FAbio Mechetti, conductor
Naxos 8.574409