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Post by joem on Oct 20, 2017 14:47:51 GMT
As usual, apologies for my lack of technical expertise in music but this is well worth a visit. Splendid sets, ballet relevant to the action, superb music and the chorus in fine form. That should be enough but the four soloists are on great form here - particularly Erwin Schrott as the fanatical Sicilian nationalist - which really makes for a memorable evening.
The history may be a bit dodgy but no-one goes to an opera for a history lesson, I suspect. |
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Post by tmesis on Oct 22, 2017 12:27:07 GMT
I'm seeing this in about a fortnight. I saw it last time and seem to recall not really liking the production but Erwin Schrott is an excellent singer and very charismatic.
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Post by tmesis on Nov 4, 2017 23:25:06 GMT
I still don't really like the production - hilarious the ROH call it 'sumptuous' which is going a bit far as it's the same set for all five acts with bits moved around a tad and a few mirrors and some gold.
However, with one exception, it was vocally first rate. Predictably Erwin Schrott was the star but Michael Volle was superb too and, after a lacklustre start, Bryan Hymel was simply tremendous. I've thought of him as just a competent, middle ranking tenor before but he is developing into a real star.
The evening was let down by Rachel Stanisci who simply should not be singing at an international opera house of the calibre of Covent Garden. A lot of the time she was inaudible but when she was she produced a really horrible wide vibrato.
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1,347 posts
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Post by tmesis on Nov 5, 2017 16:52:54 GMT
...a bit more...
I forgot to say it's a really good opera musically and dramatically with some superb arias and ensembles. I always had in my head it was pretty early in Verdi's output but it's not, being after Traviata and before Boccanegra.
I really think it should be performed more frequently.
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