Verdi - Ernani (Riccardo Muti, Placido Domingo, Mirella Freni) [1982]

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Verdi - Ernani (Riccardo Muti, Placido Domingo, Mirella Freni) [1982]

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Luca Ronconi’s production of Ernani opened La Scala’s 1982–83 season in high style. The spectacular yet subtly sinister sets by Ezio Frigerio—each scene has something of the tomb about it—and the sumptuous costuming by Franca Squarciapino complement a largely effective quartet of principals. Watching this production, one feels both the glamour and the decadence of the Castilian court—a genteel decay seems to be lurking behind every pillar and beneath every wig. The title role is a perfect one for Domingo, who embodies Ernani’s Romantic contradictions. Here, he is young enough to be completely convincing as the nobleman turned bandit, and he pours out honeyed and heroic tones throughout…Without resorting to obvious grand guignol tactics, Ghiaurov is a disquieting and persistent presence as Silva. …Don Carlo (King Charles I, and later Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor) ideally needs a singer who is larger than life, and who can drip both suaveness and connivance. That’s a tall order for Renato Bruson, who nevertheless makes the role work for him, thanks to the fundamentally attractive (if unvaried) timbre of his voice. The quality of acting is higher than I’ve seen from most La Scala productions; everyone, including the four principals, looks dramatically involved…Muti moves everything along with energy, but without overdoing it. There is an EMI CD equivalent to this DVD, but there’s little reason to prefer it now. Get this DVD, and keep (or acquire) the Leontyne Price/Bergonzi/Sereni/Flagello recording conducted by Thomas Schippers (RCA Victor Gold Seal 6503-2-RG) if you just want to listen. Again, a full-screen format has been used, but the picture quality is better, and so is the sound. - Raymond Tuttle, FANFARE

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Verdi - Ernani (Riccardo Muti, Placido Domingo, Mirella Freni) [1982]

Close