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Aug 10, 2004 I have decided to strike while the iron is hot and review the other two Rossini DVDs I boughtin London, before the experience begins to fade from my mind. For Twenty-nine pounds ninety nine pence (about sixty US dollars), I bought a box set of two famous productions from the late nineteen- eighties: 'L'Italiana in Algeri' conducted by Ralph Weikert in Schwetzingen, with the German mezzo-soprano, Doris Soffel in the title role and 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia', also from the 1988 Schwetzingen Festpiele, conducted by Gabriele Ferro and with the American singer, Gino Quilico as Figaro. Let's begin with 'L'Italiana in Algeri.' This is a very underrated opera buffa and it clearly shows the dramatic and musical skill of the twenty-one year old composer. Yes, it is cynical and cruel at times and one can certainly imagine the young composer sneering at the foolish and boorish Mustafa, along with his character, Lindoro--but in spite of that, it is a slick and exhilirating ride. The end of the first act is an ensemble 'tour de force' which is worthy of concluding any ordinary opera buffa--and in fact there is a slight sense of anti climax when the second act begins. However, after a short time, the comic and musical pace picks up again to send us careering to the grotesquely comic, but quite brilliant finish. Doris Soffel makes a fine Isabella and Nuccia Focile an appropriately obedient Turkish wife. American tenor, Robert Gambill succeeds in capturing the necessary 'serious levity' as Lindoro. All in all, this is a quite delicious production with gorgeous costumes from Mauro Pagano-- and any unbiased listener/observer may well decide that when it is as superbly performed, as it is here, 'L'Italiana in Algeri' is at least on a par with 'Figaro' and 'La Cenerentola.' The second DVD in this box set also comes from the Schwetzingen Festival of 1988. Gino Quilico is a suitably 'braggodocio' barber of Seville, while a very youthful Cecilia Bartoli provides the necessary coloratura fireworks as Rosina. Musical director, Gabriele Ferro, keeps a tight grip of this well known masterpiece (performed here inside the famous Zurich Opera House) and all the characters and singers pull their weight to make this interpretation a truly sparkling one. In conclusion, I need to say that with DVDs of this quality now on the market, it is surely only a matter of time before exclusively audio recordings of opera become extinct. ------------ About the author Jon Aristides: Read, 'The Black Scarab of Amun-Ra'. Visit www.jon-aristides.com Email: aristidesjon2001@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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