User Reviews

The Mozart 22 series has been a mixed bag, with gems like this, Mitridate Re Di Ponto and Cosi Fan Tutte, decent-but-could've-been-more productions like Don Giovanni, Le Nozze Di Figaro and Die Zauberflote and disappointments like Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail, Zaide and Ascania in Alba. Thankfully Il Sogno Di Scipione is one of the better productions. Visually, it is very opulent with some scenes almost reminiscent of something from Bunuel. The stage direction is always interesting and clever, with little coming across as distasteful. Some may be deterred by Louise Friba doing a graphic sex act during Biancheggia in Mar Scoglio, but Friba does it with professionalism rather than awkwardness, it did fit with the concept and the characters' conflicting personalities and I have encountered worse touches. Musically, the orchestral playing is lively and fruity in sound, and Robin Tacciati's conducting is full of spirit. The singing from the three leads is wonderful. Blagoj Nacoski is a commanding Scipione, his character's conflicts come through very convincingly. Fortune is very like a personification of the "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" sort of character, which is something Bernarda Bobro performs with the appropriate voluptuousness. But the production belongs to Luise Friba, her Biancheggia in Mar Scoglio is sung with real vibrancy and attention to agility and she had no problem convincing me that Scipione made the right decision. In conclusion, well worth watching and definitely up there as one of the better entries of the interesting but mixed-bag Mozart 22 series. 10/10 Bethany Cox