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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A lovely opera, beautifully staged, January 15, 2003
This review is from: IL MATRIMONIO SEGRETO (DVD)
Il Matrimonio Segreto is a charming opera, with only six singing roles and a small orchestra and such a lovely music that it is easy to understand the story of the austrian emperor ordering the entire opera encored immediately after the first performance. The Cologne Opera does it in a delightful way, with sensitivity and good taste and the period instruments make the listening even more interesting. The DVD is quite simple, no extra options offered and only english subtitles (I wish all opera DVDs offered the original language in subtitles: german opera with german subtitles, italian opera with italian subtitles, etc.). The sound is good and the overall quality excellent. An opera is to watch and listen and the DVD lets you do exactly that, but only that. Some people could find disturbing the applauses after some arias or certain noises from the stage, but there is always some cost to pay if you want the excitement and realism of a live performance. All singers are in top form, particularly the married couple (Georgine Resick and David Kübler), the troubled father (Carlos Feller) and the Count (Claudio Nicolai, outstanding singers and excellent actors. The entire DVD is worth watching over and over.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful Deception, February 10, 2004
This review is from: IL MATRIMONIO SEGRETO (DVD)
What a delightful opera! I first became aware of Il Matrimonio Segreto from the recording, No Tenors Allowed, that features a duet from this opera, "Se fiato in corpo avete." I have since discovered that has far more to offer that that one glorious piece. Segreto is a fun, funny and light-hearted rollick in the true buffo tradition. The story is silly and convoluted, but then again that is half the fun. The music is light, and while not quite on par with Mozart (a contemporary of Cimarosa), who is? Cimarosa is certainly no slouch and offers a wonderful example of late eighteenth century musical style. This DVD recording is also a delight to watch. With only the six principles in the cast, (with the occasional "super" non-singing extra making brief appearances), you need not only great singers but capable actors to pull this off. These six did a fantastic job not only musically, but in their acting (not always a forte of opera singers). I was "sold" on the fact that they were these characters and impressed by how well they melded their music to assist the action and character development. Buffo is much harder to do correctly than drama, and this cast is outstanding. It is actually funny. I don't always notice the director's "hand" in operas, but I was very impressed by the direction of Claus Viller in this production. The staging is sparse and uncluttered, which enhances the sparseness of the cast and adds to the dramatic flow. I wholeheartedly recommend this DVD to any opera buffs, either in casual or fanatical stripe.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Total Gem - Rock Solid Performance, January 30, 2003
This review is from: IL MATRIMONIO SEGRETO (DVD)
A total gem with a rock solid performance. Sound clean and clear with some period instruments circa 1792. A single stage setting with six singers. Palino and Carolina have secretly married. Carolina is the youngest daughter of Signor Geronimo a wealthy merchant. Elisetta is his oldest and their aunt Fidalma, widowed lives in the same house and has a heavy investment in the family business. A marriage contract is drawn up to tie Elisetta to Count Robinson, a local Lord. Apprised of the situation a sibling debate is entered into as to Elisetta's new title. The widowed aunt who keeps the peace, secretly has a passion for ("Itis much better with a husband")Palino, who is sponsered by the count. Count Robinson arrives for the first time to meet his intended but takes a fancy to Carolina. The fun and the confusion now begins with many scenario's to follow. The Count offers a dowary reduction to Geronimo and follows up to tell the intended, what a rouge he is. Robinson piles up the character flaws. She tells him these are mere trifles, not convinced burst into uncontolable laughter. Eventually the secret surfaces The count gives and will marry Elisetta. Fidamal is embarressed. Geronimo who has been spun into confusion wants to disown Carolina. He is reminded that she is with child. All is forgiven. The non singing parts of the house staff add to the comedy. This Opera higlights the Human Comedy and will leave you with a smile at each viewing.
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