I Vespri Siciliani is not one of Verdi's best operas, it is overlong, of the characters only Arrigo really has some kind of development and the story isn't enough to sustain the length, however it has a wonderful overture(one of his best actually, his best though is still La Forza Del Destino as clichéd as that sounds) and some memorable arias(Elena's Merce Dilette Amiche, aka. Bolero, being the most well-known), in fact the music is still really lovely if not always consistently memorable.
This was a wonderful production, my second favourite production of the scant DVD competition(only about 5 or 6 DVDs of the opera I think) after the 1989 La Scala performance with Studer, Merritt, Zancanaro and Furlanetto. Visually, even when updated and minimalist the production looks striking and tasteful, and not in a long time have I seen a more effective breaking the forth wall depiction. In particular Elena's entrance was just incredible in how eloquent and immediately it made the audience sit bolt-upright in their seats in anticipation. Even when the stage looks bare, Pizzi always makes sure to do something to keep our attention, it is a hard feat as Vespri is not the easiest of operas to make completely engrossing in terms of drama but Pizzi manages it without resorting to distaste.
Musically, the production scores even better. The orchestral playing is stylish, heartfelt and powerful with great musicality, sense of drama and the ability to be sympathetic to the needs of the singers. The conducting makes that possible too, and the chorus are involved and sing beautifully. The sound quality is sharp and clear, and the balance between orchestra and singers is equal. The video directing is also very good. And the performances are really very well done. The only let down in this regard and in the production in general was the Bolero, where Daniela Dessi didn't have the right agility or style to carry it off without it feeling laboured and unsteady(the effect that it had unfortunately). Dessi that said is clearly very committed as Elena(her finest moment being in the prison scene), very aristocratic and dignified and her singing has a strong sound and used musically, her soft singing is magic.
Fabio Armiliato copes bravely with the fiendishly difficult role of Arrigo. The role is too heavy for him, with a tendency to push slightly in the more demanding passages. However, he does possess a beautiful tone with smooth phrasing and pianissimos that are really quite seductive-sounding, and generally he did a good job with the rapid colouratura passages. He is also a good if not the most inspired presence on-stage dramatically, at least he looks and sounds like he's in the zone rather than acting oblivious to everything. Giacomo Prestia's singing of Procida is quite possibly his best performance of the Tutto Verdi Collection, his voice is steadier than it was in Ernani for example and it is a sound that is rich, well-projected and natural with good artistry. He is a good actor too with the right amount of intensity and grave dignity. Leo Nucci's Montforte was the best performance for me, even in his late 60s he still has a powerful voice that doesn't resort to forcing and it is one that he uses with great finesse and intelligence. Dramatically, he was the best of the principals too, while Montforte is a powerful character he is not a particularly interesting character but Nucci with his riveting presence makes him so.
Overall, wonderful and only let down by the rendition of Elena's Bolero. Certainly one of the best of the Tutto Verdi Collection along with 2008's Rigoletto- the best one thus far- and 2007's Luisa Miller(both also with Nucci, excellent as well in both). 9/10 Bethany Cox
This was a wonderful production, my second favourite production of the scant DVD competition(only about 5 or 6 DVDs of the opera I think) after the 1989 La Scala performance with Studer, Merritt, Zancanaro and Furlanetto. Visually, even when updated and minimalist the production looks striking and tasteful, and not in a long time have I seen a more effective breaking the forth wall depiction. In particular Elena's entrance was just incredible in how eloquent and immediately it made the audience sit bolt-upright in their seats in anticipation. Even when the stage looks bare, Pizzi always makes sure to do something to keep our attention, it is a hard feat as Vespri is not the easiest of operas to make completely engrossing in terms of drama but Pizzi manages it without resorting to distaste.
Musically, the production scores even better. The orchestral playing is stylish, heartfelt and powerful with great musicality, sense of drama and the ability to be sympathetic to the needs of the singers. The conducting makes that possible too, and the chorus are involved and sing beautifully. The sound quality is sharp and clear, and the balance between orchestra and singers is equal. The video directing is also very good. And the performances are really very well done. The only let down in this regard and in the production in general was the Bolero, where Daniela Dessi didn't have the right agility or style to carry it off without it feeling laboured and unsteady(the effect that it had unfortunately). Dessi that said is clearly very committed as Elena(her finest moment being in the prison scene), very aristocratic and dignified and her singing has a strong sound and used musically, her soft singing is magic.
Fabio Armiliato copes bravely with the fiendishly difficult role of Arrigo. The role is too heavy for him, with a tendency to push slightly in the more demanding passages. However, he does possess a beautiful tone with smooth phrasing and pianissimos that are really quite seductive-sounding, and generally he did a good job with the rapid colouratura passages. He is also a good if not the most inspired presence on-stage dramatically, at least he looks and sounds like he's in the zone rather than acting oblivious to everything. Giacomo Prestia's singing of Procida is quite possibly his best performance of the Tutto Verdi Collection, his voice is steadier than it was in Ernani for example and it is a sound that is rich, well-projected and natural with good artistry. He is a good actor too with the right amount of intensity and grave dignity. Leo Nucci's Montforte was the best performance for me, even in his late 60s he still has a powerful voice that doesn't resort to forcing and it is one that he uses with great finesse and intelligence. Dramatically, he was the best of the principals too, while Montforte is a powerful character he is not a particularly interesting character but Nucci with his riveting presence makes him so.
Overall, wonderful and only let down by the rendition of Elena's Bolero. Certainly one of the best of the Tutto Verdi Collection along with 2008's Rigoletto- the best one thus far- and 2007's Luisa Miller(both also with Nucci, excellent as well in both). 9/10 Bethany Cox
