Miah Persson breezes through a fast-paced coloratura dazzler

THE SONGBIRD: Swedish soprano Miah Persson was born in 1969. She sang in choirs in her youth then studied opera in Stockholm. Her debut role in 1998 was as Susanna. She joined the Royal Swedish Opera singing Barbarina, Susanna, Pamina, Sandrina, Dorinda, Gretel, and Sophie in "Der Rosenkavalier." She has sung internationally in London, Glynndebourne, Paris, Aix, Salzburg, and New York and made several commercial recordings and solo recitals discs.
THE MUSIC: Mozart wrote "Mitridate, re di Ponto" K.87 in 1770 when he was 14 years old; it premiered in Milan late that same year and was Mozart's first opera seria composition. The opera's cast calls for four sopranos, one alto, and two tenors -- three of those roles (Sifare, Arbate, and Farnace) were originally written for castrati. The plot is nearly impossible to summarize briefly with its interwoven political and amorous rivalries and complications. The leading soprano role is Aspasia, who is pledged to marry Mitridate (the King and the leading tenor) and is being romantically pursued by Farnace (a general and an alto) -- but she is in love with Farnace's brother Sifare (another soprano). Sifare's first aria "Soffre il mio cor" is a florid display piece where the character expresses his affection for Aspasia and hatred for his brother.

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Beautiful coloratura