Ciro in Babilonia

The Biblical story of Belshazzar's hubristic arrogance, set against the valour of the young warrrior-leader Cyrus, provided the 20-year-old Rossini with a dramatic story enriched by West-Eastern implications which still speak to us today. For the title role of Cyrus, Rossini wrote what would be his longest-ever contralto role, to which the great Rossini singer Ewa Podles´ is both naturally attracted and ideally suited. She is partnered by two young stars of Rossini singing, Jessica Pratt and Michael Spyres, and a conductor-scholar, Will Crutchfield, of great experience and sympathy. Filmed in High Definition and recorded in true Surround Sound.

Cast

Michael Spyres

Baldassare

Ewa Podleś

Ciro

Jessica Pratt

Amira

Carmen Romeu

Argene

Mirco Palazzi

Zambri

Robert McPherson

Arbace

Raffaele Costantin

Daniello

Will Crutchfield

Conductor