Customer Reviews

Donizetti - Maria de Rudenz / N. Miricioiu · R. Nathan · B. Ford · R. McFarland · PO · D. Parry

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So many wonderful operas lie just beyond the boundaries of the traditional repertory, and Donizetti's "Maria de Rudenz" is no exception. As is well-known, lovers of bel canto singing owe considerable gratitude to Opera Rara, and this recording perpetuates that debt. Parry conducts with his standard scholarship and understanding of the musical and dramatic requirements of Donizetti's music. His tempi almost always seem ideal, and he lovingly supports his soloists in their efforts to sustain Donizetti's beautiful melodic lines. This isn't "Lucia di Lammermoor" or "Lucrezia Borgia," but much of the music is masterly and quite beautiful. As the heroine, soprano Nelly Miricioiu sings with genuine fire, using her voice (eerily similar to Callas, without the technical problems experienced by the great singer) with exemplary technique and obvious love for Donizetti's music. Tenor Bruce Ford is virtually beyond comparison with any other tenor currently singing/recording the bel canto repertory. The voice here is fresh and gloriously sure in pitch, displaying considerable dramatic incisiveness. The other soloists are all quite competent, and the recording bubbles along with consistent attention to detail and discoveries of hidden treasures. Buy this recording!

"Maria de Rudenz" may have a rather unsavory and highly improbable plot, but the masterly music of Donizetti helps put the work over. All the singers are first rate, with special mention going to Bruce Ford, one of the finest tenors working in this repertoire, and Nelly Miriciou, who sings the title role with complete conviction reminiscent of Callas, without her predecessor's unsteadiness. This may not be a lost masterpiece, but it is a highly enjoyable addition to the recorded Donizetti canon. As always, Opera Rara's presentation puts all other complete opera sets to shame, with its deluxe packaging and first-rate booklet and notes, detailing the history of the opera. Fantastic.

In a guide to classical composers, which shall remain unnamed, the comment on "Maria de Rudenz" was, that because of its "over-the-top" melodrama it was one of Donizetti's failures. Simply refer to Frank Walker's classic biography, "The Man Verdi", and check the chapter on Giuseppina Strepponi and it is evident that it was one of her frequently performed roles. If so, surely other divas of the era must also have found it a "starry" role. I approached it sceptically at first with the excesses of its melodrama, which is no worse than "Sweeney Todd", but with the imaginative and often truly inspired scoring and melody of Donizetti, it has become a favourite of mine among his lesser known operas. These may not all be the master-pieces such as "Lucia", but, like early Verdi operas, they cannot be dismissed. They are exciting to listen to and I personally would love to experience them in the theatre, which sadly is unlikely to happen in Australia - but one can only hope. In the meantime, Opera Rara continue to tantalize opera lovers with fine performances of these neglected exciting pieces of Musical Theatre - long may they do so!

I really thank Opera Rara records for bringing back to life this beautiful operatic jewel. It not only has beautiful music, the singing and the sound are great. If you like Donizetti and you already have his 4 or 5 most recorded operas, this is definitely a wonderful next purchase.