Francesca da Rimini by Zandonai. 20-30 Nov 2003. Conducted by Donato Renzetti, directed by Alberto Fassini, with Daniela Dess, Patrizia Orciani, Alessandro Paliaga, Fabio Armiliato. In Rome, another rarity goes on stage: Francesca da Rimini by Riccardo Zandonai, 20-30 Nov. It is a decadent and refined opera, thanks to its libretto, which is based on the tragedy of the same title by Gabriele dAnnunzio, and also to its music, which is influenced by Debussy, Strauss and Wagner, as well as Mascagni, who was Zandonais teacher. The lovers will be played by Daniela Dess and Fabio Armiliato, two singers who are often on stage together and whose joint performances are enriched by the fact that they are also a couple in real life. The conductor is Donato Renzetti, whose interpretations are always very well rehearsed and never leave anything to chance. Direction is by Alberto Fassini.