The opera Germania , one of Franchetti's later ones, was a major popular success at its premiere, but has rarely been performed since the early years of the 20th century. Today it survives mostly due to Enrico Caruso's recordings of two arias, made late in 1902, the rousing "Studenti!" and this, in which the unknowing Federico first tenderly and then passionately assures Ricke of his love. As in most Italian operas around the turn of the century, the line between aria and recitative is blurred, m arked mostly by the slightly stronger melody of the aria proper (compare to Marcello's Musetta...Testa adorata from Leoncvallo's La Boheme or Adriana's opening aria from Adriana Lecouvreur dating from the same year as Germania. .)

© All Music Guide

Portions of Content Provided by All Music Guide.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.