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Composed in 1851, Giuseppe Lillo’s La gioventù di Shakespeare (“The Youth of Shakespeare”), also known as Il sogno d’una notte estiva, is a rare gem from the world of Italian Romantic opera. The sparkling overture captures the work’s theatrical spirit with elegant melodies, lively rhythms, and a deft blend of lyricism and drama. Reflecting Lillo’s gift for operatic storytelling and his affinity with the bel canto tradition, it serves as an engaging introduction to an opera that imaginatively explores the young Shakespeare’s world.
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Full score
Music example (pdf)