The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Opera

Zaccaria. A Hebrew prophet (bs) in Verdi Nabucco.

Zafred, Mario (b Trieste, 2 Mar. 1922; d Rome, 22 May 1987), Italian composer and critic. Studied Rome with Pizzetti, and in Paris. Critic of Unita ( Rome) 1949-56. Artistic dir., Trieste, T Giuseppe Verdi 1966, and Rome, R, 1968. His operas include Amleto ( 1961) and Wallenstein ( 1965) and are very much in the vein of contemporary Soviet composers, in line with his own political philosophy.

Zaide. Opera in 2 acts (unfin.) by Mozart; text by Schachtner, after Sebastiani. Comp. 1779-80; prem. Frankfurt 27 Jan. 1866, compl. Gollmick with rewritten dialogue, overture and finale added by Anton André.

Turkey, 16th cent. Gomatz (ten) has been taken prisoner by the Sultan Soliman (ten). He seeks refuge from his cares in sleep. Zaide (sop), the Sultan's favourite, declares her love for Gomatz while he sleeps and leaves a portrait of herself beside him. He awakes and declares his love for her. Allazim (bs), the Sultan's steward, offers to help them escape.

The Sultan is furious to find Zaide gone and, on learning of the couple's escape, plans a cruel revenge. They are recaptured, and neither the pleas of Allazim nor of Zaide can weaken the Sultan's resolve. The opera breaks off at this point. Various completions have been attempted in both staged and concert versions.

Zajc, Ivan (b Rijeka, 3 Aug. 1832; d Zagreb, 16 Dec. 1914). Croatian composer. Studied with his father, Rijeka, Milan with RonchettiMonteviti, Rossi, and Mazzucato. After working in Italy and Vienna, he returned home in 1870 and became director of the Zagreb Cons. and conductor at the theatre. Here he exercised an important influence on the country's musical life. He was an important founder of Croatian opera, and was (with Mislav) the first to set Croatian texts. His most important work is Nikola S+̆ubić Zrinjski ( 1876). Based on the manner of Verdi's Risorgimento operas, the work includes some charming oriental music and some rousing tunes mostly built on the short phrases that were part of his idiom, and is well scored, especially for woodwind.

Zajick, Dolores (b Nevada, 1959). US mezzosoprano. Studied Manhattan School of Music. Début S Francisco 1986 (Azucena). An exciting exponent of the dramatic repertory, she has sung Amneris and Eboli at New York, M, and Tchaikovsky's Maid of Orleans at Carnegie Hall. London, CG, 1994 (Amneris). Further appearances at Verona, Chicago, Vienna; New York, M, 1988. (R)

Zambello, Francesca (b New York, 24 Aug. 1956). US producer. Studied with Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. Co-artistic dir. Skylight Opera T, Milwaukee, 1985-90. Beatrice di Tenda at Venice, F, 1987. Wexford from 1988: The Devil and Kate, Donizetti L'assedio di Calais, Cherevichki. War and Peace at Seattle ( 1990), Les Troyens at Los Angeles ( 1991). New York, M, 1992 ( Lucia). Her Khovanshchina for ENO ( 1994) was admired for its historical awareness and theatrical style.

Zamboni, Luigi (b Bologna, c. 1767; d Florence, 28 Feb. 1837). Italian bass. Début Bologna 1791 (in Cimarosa Fanatico in Berlina). Rome, Naples, Venice; Milan, S, 1810-11, 1818. Retired 1825. A highly successful buffo singer, and childhood friend of Rossini, who wrote the title-role of Barbiere di Siviglia for him (describing him as 'valiant'). Also sang in operas by Fioravanti, Paisiello, Pavesi, etc.

Zampa. Opera in 3 acts by Hérold; text by Mélesville. Prem. Paris, OC, 3 May 1831.

Sicily, 16th cent. At the head of his pirate band, Zampa (bar) invades the island of Castel Lugano and forces Camilla (mez), daughter of the Count, to abandon her betrothed Alfonso (ten) for him. As they celebrate this new betrothal, Zampa places a ring on the finger of the statue of his former bride Alice: the fingers close over the ring threateningly. Zampa remains unmoved by all pleas to release Camilla, and reveals that he is the Count of Monza, and thus Alfonso's brother. Zampa sends Alfonso to prison, and orders the statue to be thrown into the sea, while Camilla claims sanctuary at the altar; Zampa tears her away, but is dragged

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