Il Piccolo Marat by Pietro Mascagni. A live recording from Sanremo, Theatro del Casino, conductor Ottavio Ziino.

Warner Classics 5046-63246-2.

Pietro Mascagni was one of the most important Italian composers at the turn of the 20th Century and he is probably best-known for his opera Cavalleria Rusticana.

However, he was a prolific and substantial musician, who also claimed fame as a conductor.

His greatest rival was his good friend Puccini.

Il Piccolo Marat, which premiered in Rome in 1921, is an opera new to me, although I had read about it.

The work is reputed to be one of the most cruel and bloodthirsty operas of the Italian musical theatre, not surprising when you learn of its subject matter.

Set in France, during the French Revolution it centres around Fleury (Guiseppe Gismono) - Il piccolo Marat of the title - a young prince, who joins the revolutionary army determined to save his imprisoned mother from a brush with Madam Guillotine.

The president of the revolutionary committee, known as the Ogre (Nicola Rossi Lemeni) for his cruelty, has a young niece Mariella (Virginia Zeani), who strives to help Fleury. His role is forceful and perfect for a vigorous basso voice.

The duets sung by Mariella and Fleury are beautiful and evocative.

The use of voice and instrument to convey the characters is beautifully done.

The two protagonists are the contrast between good and evil, which is brought to a head in the finale.

This recording made in 1962, at the Teatro del Casino di Sanremo, is conducted by Ottavio Ziino and features the Coro del Teatro Comunale di Bologna.