Gabriel Fauré considered Umberto Giordano’s Siberia to be one of the most interesting and singular works of the early 20th century. The opera’s tragic narrative follows Prince Alexis’s courtesan Stephana. She falls in love with an innocent soldier, Vassili, who is sent to Siberia for killing the Prince. Stephana gives up her life of luxury to follow him but cannot escape her past. With its intensely Russian atmosphere and passionately soaring melodies, Siberia was Giordano’s favourite among his operas. This acclaimed Fiorentino production was greeted with multiple ovations.

‘Sonya Yoncheva was an admirable Stephana, particularly articulate and fervent.’ – Operawire

‘A genuine rarity… Sonya Yoncheva took on the prima donna role of Stephana. She sang and acted the role with passionate dignity... Giorgi Sturua is an interesting discovery in the role of Vassili… George Petean sang Gleby with a firm and rounded baritone… He sang with a solid column of healthy sound and incarnated the evil character with aplomb… Giordano’s score abounds in Russian flavour and Gianandrea Noseda solicited a rainbow of orchestral colours from the superb Maggio band. He led a reading with epic sweep, allowing Giordano’s unique combination of soaring melodies and local colour to register fully. The orchestra covered themselves in glory, playing with both a striking unanimity of approach as well as characterful playing from piquant winds, silky strings and solid brass. The chorus sang with admirable ensemble, excellent tuning in the unaccompanied sections, and good blend…Siberia is an opera that does deserve a wider hearing.’ – OperaTraveller.com

Cast:
- Stephana: Sonya Yoncheva (soprano)
- Vassili: Giorgi Sturua (tenor)
- Gléby: George Petean (baritone)
- Nikona: Caterina Piva (mezzo-soprano)
- Il principe Alexis: Giorgio Misseri (tenor)
- Ivan: Antonio Garés (tenor)
- Il banchiere Miskinsky: Francesco Verna (baritone)
- Walinoff: Emanuele Cordaro (bass)
- Il capitano: Francesco Samuele Venuti (bass)
- Il sergente: Joseph Dahdah (tenor)
- Il cosacco: Alfonso Zambuto (tenor)
- Il Governatore: Adolfo Corrado (bass)
- L’invalido: Davide Piva (baritone)
- L’ispettore: Amin Ahangaran (bass)
- La fanciulla: Caterina Meldolesi (soprano)

Recording place: Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Recording date: 7 July 2021