The comic opera takes up elements of the intermezzo and the opera buffa. Mostly a one-act play, divided into different scenes, the comic opera lives on the easiness of its plot and the spontaneity of its language. Mayr's and Rossi's Che Originali! is a satire on the culturally narrow-minded bourgeois who is prominently impersonated by Don Febeo. He replaces his wanting artistic standards by a manic enthusiasm for art. In Don Febeo's great "self-composed" bravura aria, a polynomial, intentionally short-winded rondo, Mayr brilliantly draws the contrast between the protagonist's dramatic emotions and the musical expression that turns out worse and worse despite the expenditure of both music and time. This disproportion mounts up to the cheerful cabaletta with the tragic words: "O heavens, open your floodgates, for love has been conquered".
“Mayr’s music is stylish and well crafted, even if it does tend toward formulaic melodies. The lively writing for winds-a Mayr speciality aptly serves the musical subject matter...As Aristea, Stephanie Früh demonstrates a sound technique in her singing-lesson duel with Don Febeo; her sound is attractive...and Robert Merwald shows good buffo skills as Biscroma”
November 1999
“Stefanie Früh (a Reri Grist pupil), comes through with flying colours...Particularly fine is the young baritone, Robert Merwald, in the comprimario role of the servant, Biscroma...Franz Hauk’s conducting is incisive, the playing of the Georgian Chamber Orchestra accomplished, the studio recording clear and well balanced.”
