14-30 Dec 2003. Directed by John Cox, conducted by Bruno Bartoletti, with Ruggero Raimondi.

The Teatro dellOpera in Rome closes its season with Assassinio nella Cattedrale by Ildebrando Pizzetti, 14-30 Dec. This opera is about the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, at the moment of his martyrdom. Musically, the score makes use of recitations reminiscent of Gregorian chant, and the orchestration is soft and hazy but charged with religious mysticism. The opera returns to Rome after about 30 years with a production staged three years ago at the Teatro Regio in Turin. The director is John Cox, who portrays the Middle Ages as a spartan, grey and solemn period. The leading role will be played by Ruggero Raimondi, who also sang the part in Turin. His performance was highly praised by the critics, both for his stage presence and for his vocal ability, although his voice is no longer what it once was. The conductor will also be the same: Bruno Bartoletti, who loves this score and directs it with great emotion. Paolo Di Nicola