Queste ad un lido fatal

Pertile recorded this aria in 1924, the same year that he created the title role in Arrigo Boito's enormous and spectacular opera "Nerone." This excerpt, "Queste ad un lido fatal," occurs at the beginning of the opera when Nero is burying the ashes of his mother (whom he murdered!) at the side of the Via Appia. At the end of the aria, he clearly proclaims "I am Orestes!"

This is some of Pertile's most exciting singing; his overwrought sound and muscular voice is perfect for portraying the neurotic and clearly unbalanced Nero.