This week, we are pleased to feature a special clip from 2003 Honens Laureate Roberto Plano. In this excerpt, Roberto performs an arrangement of one of the most famous opera arias, Casta Diva from Norma by Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini.
Frédéric Chopin began his arrangement of this aria in 1831. He started writing the left hand, but eventually he abandoned the project. It is speculated that Chopin had planned to write the right hand later or have the work performed with a singer. Many years later, the arrangement was reconstructed and published by Polish scholar Wojciech Nowik.
Roberto has added his own touch to Chopin's arrangement, inspired by how singers sing the melody.
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Watch the video edition of this excerpt at honens.com/home.