translated excerpts from Italian into English

"How delightful it is to sing Rossini's rarely-performed cantata 'Giovanna d'Arco' as a soloist with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, one of world's first class orchestras, under the baton of Rossini expert, Maestro Zedda," says the Italian mezzo-soprano Teresa Iervolino. "I dreamed of meeting Maestro Zedda and my dream has come true. It's fantastic that I have rehearsed Rossini's spiritual Giovanna d'Arco with him." "This cantata was written for alto role and it portrays the triumphant heroine Giovanna's sense of vision, religious and patriotic determination. I am deeply moved by Giovanna d'Arco, who devoted her body and soul to the cause of justice. In the first half of the cantata, she sings 'I think all the mothers are envious of my mother who brought up a daughter like me!' And in the second half of it, she narrates her transformation from being a maiden to a warrior. I find it fantastic that this dramatic cantata concludes with a song in praise of triumph." "I'd like to extend my deepest thanks to the Philharmonic and my dearest Maestro Zedda. I feel extremely lucky that I can learn so much, too, in the performance of Giovanna d'Arco."