Customer Reviews

Donizetti: Maria Stuarda

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Another wonderful souvenir from the San Francisco Opera, this "Maria Stuarda" took place in November, 197l and it marked a high-water point in Sutherland's career. She had just completed a series of Rossini's "Semiramide" in Chicago, and had already contracted to open the 1972 San Francisco opera season in "Norma" (which has also been recorded and is available). This marked Sutherland's first performances of Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda", and proved to be a wonderful assumption. She is every inch the injured and martyred queen, and she is aided enormously by the Queen Elizabeth of Huguette Tourangeau. The two opposing roles are sung with alternative options in both directions ------ Sutherland takes all of the high options (which take her to D and E flat) while her lower-voiced counterpart goes down to the basement notes with a true contralto color. The huge vocal contrasts between the voices only enhances and heightens the gulf between the two queens. The supporting cast is excellent, and Bonynge shapes an involving and compelling performance. This is 1971 prime Sutherland and it doesn't get better than this.

Sutherland is past her prime here, but still has the great technique to pull off a tour de force. This is probably the easiest of Donizetti's Operas, in terms of coloratura. But Sutherland's voice sounds very tragic here, and her acting is excellent. Look for Sutherland's voice before 1975 if you want to hear the greatest coloratura of this century.

Sutherland is magnificent as the tragic Mary Stuart. I loved the Sills version(not available on cd)and I love this recording as well. A great performance of a classic role.

No one is likely to be disappointed with the singing and playing on this recording. The problem with it is that it was recorded live, and every movement of the performers on stage, every rustle in the restless audience is extremely audible. Furthermore, no libretto is included. It should also be pointed out that this is not the Maria Stuarda with Pavarotti which is praised in the Penguin Guide. Lovers of Donizetti and of Sutherland will be pleased, particularly at such a bargain price, but there are many bel canto recordings available which are far more listanable and accessable.

It's a pleasure listening to these, with Bonynge ochestrating for his wife, and the superb projection of Tourangeau, makes this a must (although it appears to be unavailable at present).I enjoy music, and have very personal views, not musically/theoritically founded, but a simple inborn (Welsh)love of "the melody", and this recording fulfills my criteria, namely, memorising, and then whistling or humming the "tune". And this recording is full of "hummers and whistlers". With the added bonus of a Welsh tenor. A bargain at the proce. A four star, it has too much stage sound...

This is such a great production the viewer doesn't care that "Maria Stuarda" is only middling Donizetti. Besides being beautifully sung, this 2008 version from Milan is one of the most dramatic operas I have ever seen. Its essence is a clash of personalities between Mary Queen of Scots (Mariella Devia) and Elizabeth I (Anna Caterina Antonacci) in the days before Mary's execution. In an electric moment, Devia hurls a spoken insult at Antonacci rather than singing it. A knowledge of British history helps understand the librettist's shortcuts, such as presenting a tenor who represents all the men who became infatuated with the imprisoned queen over her long confinement.