Customer Reviews

Bellini - Beatrice di Tenda / Aliberti, Gavanelli, Capasso, M. Thompson, De Haan, Deutschen Opera Berlin, Luisi

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This recording inspired a full scale mounting of the work in Berlin in which Aliberti scored a triumph. She is magnificent in the recording, and as usual with her, well partnered by singers of ability and taste. Luisi conducts with plenty of fire (maybe a bit more than necessary here and there) and the whole production is first class. Beatrice is an uneven opera, with perhaps a bit too many choral/ensemble pieces, but the major solos and duets are equal to his best work. The music afforded the title character is remarkably beautiful and virtuosic and Aliberti does full justice to it, not only singing like an angel but imbuing the music with meaning and pathos.

Beatrice di Tenda is one of the lesser known opera by Bellini.
Unjustly neglected it still offers long stretches of beautiful
music, great ensembles and exciting finales. Lucia Aliberti as
Beatrice has a dark voice of considerable size and agility. Her
soft singing is beautiful but her odd habit of whispering the
text can be a bit distracting and in the more declamatory pas-
sages she can sounds tentative and insecure but despite these
flaws her voice and manner are right for the music and the
character. Paolo Gavanelli has likewise a dark voice that
blends well with Aliberti - he sings very well and is very
much into the character of the evil Fillipo. Camille Capasso
and Martin Thompson in the supporting roles of Agnese and
Orombello have both young attractive voices and sing with
elegance and security. Chorus and orchestra are excellent
and superbly conducted by Fabio Luisi. Excellent sound.
All in all a fine Beatrice and a good alternative to the
DECCA version with Sutherland/Pavarotti under Bonynge.