Bellini: I Puritani
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Movie Reviews of Bellini: I Puritani
Movie Review: Not Stylistically Correct Performance
Summary: 4 Stars
I read with surprise the rave reviews of this performance. While it has to be agreed that many aspects of Netrebko are wonderfully suited to this role, there are also critical shortcomings which are probably not obvious to audiences who are not well acquainted with the demands of Bel Canto. First on her plus points - she definitely looked the part, which is not often so, and while many viewers don't mind whether the singer looked the part, many also do, and this will keep these people happy. She has a lovely voice and a good acting ability - which certainly brings the role to life - again something not to be taken for granted. Thirdly she has star appeal, which will bring greater audiences to this sadly and unfairly neglected masterpiece by Bellini (even if its not Norma or La Sonnambula, it certainly deserves a revival).
However, viewers must also be aware that Bel Canto also requires the singer to have a good coloratura ability. This is unfortunately sorely missed here in Ms Netrebko's performance. Indeed audiences who are well acquainted with this work will have picked the glossing over of running notes and other obvious faults Ms Netrebko should have overcomed.
Perhaps it is wise of her to have appeared in a video recording rather than an audio one, where these faults would have been accentuated in the absence of her glamorous personality and great thespian skills. For it would have brought up very unfavorable comparisons with those who have managed the coloratura successfully - the legends of the past like Callas, Sutherland, Sills or even Freni, just to name a few.
Nonetheless, in times like ours, a greatly welcomed release.
Movie Review: Netrebko's I Puritani
Summary: 4 Stars
I was thrilled. I went to the Met (1st time) in 2007 to see Anna Netrebko in 'I Puritani'. I was overwhelmed by her beauty, her acting ability, and of course that glorious voice. Then about 2 weeks later I caught the performance in a live simulcast "Met goes to the movies" and was even more impressed because the cameras were able to focus on close-ups with important facial expressions. And now, lo and behold the performance is out on DVD!
The entire cast is superb. Patrick Summers leads the orchestra flawlessly; obviously he is thoroughly familiar with Bellini's beautiful music. Netrebko sings Bellini with no apparent effort and she is enjoying every minute of it. The 'mad scene' is not rehearsed, she does what she feels comes naturally. Yes she actually lays on her back on the stage with her head hanging into the orchestra pit and sings full throttle! It works; the ovation was thunderous.
Standing out besides Netrebko is John Relyea as Giorgio. A magnificent voice. He role is sung with compassion and he is very comfortable with the role. You want to close your eyes and let the music and the voices transport you but you do not want to miss anything on stage!
A plus with the DVD - you get to see interviews with Beverly Sills and Renee Fleming.
Movie Review: Netrebko is a great singer, but not a coloratura!
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a very decent production, I wish I saw it on stage. I am not sure if it is worth adding to one's collection though, because as great a singer and actress Anna Netrebko may be, she does not have a coloratura voice that is critical for this role. She pulled off a great Violetta in 2005 La Traviata, but in La Traviata less coloratura is required by all means. To sing Bellini though the soprano should ideally be a specialist in bel canto, which Ms. Netrebko is not (and she doesn't have to be! She can be perfect in lyric and even dramatic roles).
In this particular production, Ms. Netrebko's acting is wonderful and her singing is decent, but it cannot be compared to that of Joan Sutherland or even Edita Gruberova. There is no video recording with Dame Sutherland (to my knowledge), but there are at least two with Ms. Gruberova, so I certainly would recommend that rather than this one. The tenor there will be much better, too. Here the tenor has a suitable type of voice, but he is not singing well.
Movie Review: Five stars for Anna Netrebko, but bad performances of the male voices.
Summary: 3 Stars
Anna Netrebko gives us a wonderful performance in the role of Elvira. Nevertheless, I must disagree with most of the reviewers: just Miss Netrebko exists in this production, as the main male voices range from very bad (Arturo - Eric Cutler) to bad (Giorgio - John Relyea) and acceptable (Riccardo - Franco Vassalo).
People not used to hear opera probably did not notice the weakness of the male voices, but I think that all opera's lovers are asking themselves "Why did not the MET choose better ?"; "Which criterium was used to select the male voices ?".
Unfortunately, what could have been a memorable production is just a very disappointing one.
Nevertheless, Miss Netrebko's beautiful voice and acting make this an interesting DVD, which I rate with 3 stars, the mean of five stars for Anna Netrebko, Arturo*, Giorgio **, Riccardo ***, Chorus and Orchestra ****.
Movie Review: a lack of bel canto style
Summary: 3 Stars
This performance of Bellini's masterpiece was marred
by a lack of the style of bel canto, an early 19th
century specialty in ornamentation for expressive effects.
Anna Netrebko is beautiful and acts well, but did not sing
the part in the bel canto style. Listen to singers like
Maria Callas or Joan Sutherland to hear how the part should
be sung. I saw two wonderful bel canto specialists sing this
part, Beverly Sills and Edita Gruberova. Netrebko is simply
not on that level and needs to learn the style.
Patrick Summers was a stylish conductor, though the other
singers were average. Best was John Relyea the basso.
The HD performance was fun to watch, but it makes one
sad to think that such a visible productions, which is so
heavily publicized, did not employ bel canto technique.