The approachable Alfredo Casella (1883-1947) was of the Italian post-verismo generation that included moderately successful opera composers like Respighi and Malipiero. Casella, however, was not a fan, despising Puccini and Wagner alike. La Donna Serpente was his only venture into the genre, and despite some attractive music, reveals an operatic novice as far as dramatic matters are concerned.

Based on a Gozzi play – the same source material that Wagner used for Die Feen – the story tells how King Altidòr is tested by his...