Customer Reviews

Verdi - La Battaglia di Legnano

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Many obscure Verdi operas are appearing on DVD - Jerusalem, Atilla, Foscare, Stiffelio and even Aroldo. Now we have La Battaglia di Legnano which Verdi said he would like to give another try. It's unlikely most of us will ever see a production so this DVD is it. It is a better try than the recent Aroldo. It is from The Teatro di Bellini. The only name I recognized is conductor Nello Santi who has lots of experience in this repertoire. Of the singers soprano Matos has the best voice followed by tenor Harnandez. The baritone Cebrian has a wobble. But on the whole the music is decently served.
The production is at least intriguing. The chorus is dressed as late 19th century workmen and women and they are constantly present observing the action. Thus Verdi's generation reflects on this historic victorious action. The main characters are dressed in the historical period. They play out a lot of the opera raised on platforms above the chorus. The two male leads and Barbarrosa also appear on giant horses to good effect. Not the best but for Verdi worshippers definitely worth a look.

Beautiful opera but done very bad. I is cut as almost did the Nelo Santi , who obviously hate the opera as most conducters.....is is short opera and to make cuts it is shocking. There is no second second verse of Lina's Cabaletta and there is a cut in beautiful duet from act I (soprano-tenore). Ugly and dull staging. Buy the version on CD Philips- Ricciarelli, Carreras, Manuguerra and you shall see what brilliant music this opera is.