Being somebody

Completely agree here, making a character come alive is such a different skill than music composition. Not many have both gifts. As Picasso said about his own artform, "Some artists turn a little yellow dot into the sun; some turn the sun into a little yellow dot."

Mercadante was also a famous flute virtuoso, and James Galway has recorded some of his works for flute. He was also a well-known conductor.
Have you heard Boito's other opera Nerone, about the infamous Roman emperor?
The last act was unfinished, but it has been recorded on Hungaroton with Eve Queler conducting.
It's fascinating ; written later in Boit's life, the music is much more complex and sophisticated in both harmony and orchestration. I believe the recording is still available from arkivmusic.com

Hi, Robert. I used to have that recording on LP, but I don't think I ever listened to it. My loss. I should track it down on CD, or as a download.

I find Mefistofele quite sophisticated, but not very powerful, for much of its lengths. The ideas (musical ideas) are interesting and unusual, and certainly go further in expressing the drama than operatic musical ideas usually go, but purely as music I don't find them all that vivid. None of which prevents the opera from being quite powerful onstage.

I've loved this very much . Its the best which i have ever seen in the music industry .
The best of its own kind