Vincenzo Bellini
Il Pirata is a tragical opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini (1801 – 1835) on a libretto by Felice Romani who derived some material from the French play Bertram ou le Chateau de St. Alborado. The opera hit the stage for the first time in 1827.
The shipwrecked sailor and pirate Gualtiero is hopelessly in love with Imogene, the wife of the local count that is after the pirates. Jealousy and vengeance play a role in the game and in the end almost none of the main characters is left.
Mertz’s arrangement is a catchy tune that does not provide too many technical problems.