Donizetti: Maria Stuarda

Frizza, Riccardo;
Coro Lirico Marchigiano Vincenzo Bellini;
Alberghini, Simone;
Biasio, Roberto de;
Cassi, Mario;
Lanza, Giovanna;
Piscitelli, Maria Pia;
Polverelli, Laura;
Marchigiana Philharmonic Orchestra

8.660261-62

It was in the 1960s that a new generation of sopranos were looking for operas that would showcase their vocal brilliance and rediscovered Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda. Composed in 1834 its political contents were banned by the censors, and despite efforts to set the music to new words, it was plunged into obscurity. Donizetti, never over-fussy regarding small matters such as historical rectitude, had settled for a triangular love story between the imprisoned Mary Stuart, her captor, Queen Elizabeth, and the Earl of Leicester, who is loved by both but his affections are only for Mary. The present performance is taken from the open-air venue at the Sferisterio Opera Festival in Marcerata, Italy, and was originally issued and reviewed last April in DVD format [2.110268].
The staging was impressive and I much commend Maria Pia Piscitelli’s red-blooded portrayal of Mary. Her forceful voice is most impressive, with the supplication to God in the third act as good as you will hear, while the final walk to her death is free of maudlin sentimentality. Vocally the Elizabeth of Laura Polverelli relishes every morsel of the vocal acrobatics on offer, but cannot command the eventual confrontation with Mary as they are both as dramatically exciting. I have this love of provincial Italian tenors of yesteryear, and Roberto De Biasio’s voice comes straight from that era, his fast vibrato creating a mentally doomed person as the opera moves inexorably to its sad conclusion. Among the remaining cast—Donizetti did not leave a great deal for them—Simone Alberghini sounds right for the aging Talbot, while the orchestra adds a strong and purposeful presence under the baton of Riccardo Frizza.
The recording is vivid and good under such live conditions. •David Denton, David's Review Corner, December 2009

CD x 2

Muzyka klasyczna

Naxos

02-12-2009

730099026178