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41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Diva in Decline.... But still puts on a good show, June 2, 2005
This review is from: Bellini - I Puritani / Gruberova, Bros, Alvarez, Orfila, Gorny, Madrid, Pierotti, Haider, Barcelona Opera (DVD)
In my mind I Puritani is the most BELCANTO of all the Italian repertory, it is all about the long flowing melodies, fast cabalettas and repeated high notes. So it shouldn't be any surprise that Bellini had four of the greatest singers in mind while writing it. In fact they ended up with the nickname of Puritani Quartet. I am presenting some of this just to warn you it is extremely difficult music to sing, the few recording of this work are only attempted when a first rate cast can be put together... the soprano role (with the memory of Callas and Sutherland fresh in mind) is littered with high eflats and two octave runs. The tenor role is famous or rather infamous for the high F that is usually sang in falsetto or skipped altogether, but it also has high C's and D's throughout. I Puritani is a goldmine of endless melodies and beautiful music. Lets get down to this performance. This is the fist time that I have witnessed Gruberova noticeably having vocal problems. She has been 30 years of rock solid coloratura! So in a way it was sort of sad to watch her struggle through Son vergin vezzosa missing the high E flat ending... or the pause before attempting the final note of Ma tu gia fuggi... or the fact that she skipped the ending aria Ah! sento o mio bell'angelo. That said it was truly amazing to watch her mad scene, she was minus some intonation problems... WONDERFUL BRAVO! And it was a pleasure to see her and hear her at her best. Just for those 17 mins this DVD is worth the price. After I got past the above problems, I have to admit that her performance was really remarkable, it is a tough opera and seeing some of the singers currently singing I am glad Gruberova's performance was captured and released. As for the rest of the cast... they are not in the same league as the Diva. Bros has a nice warm tenor, but I think this role might be stretch for him the high D's were good but there was no attempt at the high F. Then again, what singer today would sing the high F (we miss you Pavarotti). Haider and the rest were good, not great, but good and the tempos seemed for the most part to help the singers cope with the heavy demands. I would have to recommend this recording to anyone who like belcanto opera or coloratura divas there is at least one good high E for you to enjoy.
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Opinions will vary on this one, May 27, 2005
This review is from: Bellini - I Puritani / Gruberova, Bros, Alvarez, Orfila, Gorny, Madrid, Pierotti, Haider, Barcelona Opera (DVD)
Whether you are a Gruberova fan or not, you will love this production of Bellini's opera. With minimal sets (which work effectively), the 'static' nature of this opera is well conveyed. Haider conducts the orchestra and chorus of the Liceu, Barcelona and soloists Carlos Alvarez, Simon Orfila and Jose Bros give excellent accounts of their parts. Gruberova is clearly the star of this show and the audience love her. For her age, she sings excellently, even besides a few moments of patchy pitch and tone. I actually saw her sing this role in Munich a year earlier and she was just as good, if not better. Opinions will vary between opera lovers about the merits of this production. I love it, hence the 5 star rating.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An unending font of glorious divine melody, August 19, 2005
This review is from: Bellini - I Puritani / Gruberova, Bros, Alvarez, Orfila, Gorny, Madrid, Pierotti, Haider, Barcelona Opera (DVD)
This has got to be the most intensely melodic opera ever written. We don't see it done very much today because we lack the singers. This production from the Licieu is not perfect but it's as good as we are likely to find today. Gruberova is past her prime but she can still deliver. I haven't heard singing like this lately elsewhere. And she makes us feel for Elvira. Bros is unknown to me but on the basis of this performance he should have a good career. He has a sweet tenor that is able to encompass Arturo's high notes of which there are many. The other singers are up to par and Haider leads a spirited performance. Andre Serban's production is all greys and blacks except for Elvira's red rose. But these are Puritans after all. And there is more than enough color in those heart melting melodies. If you do not know Puritani give yourself this wonderful gift.
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