Vincenzo Bellini - I Puritani
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Movie Reviews of Vincenzo Bellini - I Puritani
Movie Review: STUNNING PERFORMANCE
Summary: 5 Stars
It is amazing how (IMHO) a relatively sedate so-so opera could be transformed into an electrifying performance due to the brilliance of Netrebko. Not only is Netrebko's voice incredible, and physical appearance mesmerizing, but she is also a consumate actress, skillfully playing to and looking right into the on-stage cameras, in the process producing a DVD I know we will all return to many times. For the record, I saw this performance twice in its simulcast HD version as well as live at the Met. Movie Review: Superb Performance of Bellini Jewel
Summary: 5 Stars
This performance which I saw in HD broadcast, is superb in all respects. Puritani, though quite beautiful, is quite a static opera. Musically, what creates momentum is the profligacy and haunting quality of its melodic content, and the underlying rhythmic diversity present throughout the work. Thus much depends on the conductor. He has to let the melodies soar but keep taut control of the rhythms, flexibility without slackness. How Bellini came to use so much polonaise in dealing with Scottish Puritans is a puzzlement, but it works very well. Mr. Summers, whom I had never heard of before, is very good and he succeeds admirably in not letting matters wilt while never rushing anything. Besides its admirable set pieces, Puritani is full of little musical moments, almost throwaway beautiful two- or three-bar melodic phrases that make one comprehend the great respect with which Bellini was regarded by both Chopin and Wagner. A conductor cannot underline all of these, otherwise the performance becomes one of fits and starts, but they need to be noticed, with subtlety. Mr. Summers understands this very well and executes accordingly. It is ironic how much this opera, considered pre-eminently a singers' work, depends, to be truly effective, on the person silently wielding the baton.
Of course, there is the very dramatic "mad" scene Bellini provided for Elvira, pretty much out of nowhere, but even that is anchored by one of the most beautiful melodies ever written. Anna Netrebko is marvelous throughout, and excels in Qui La Voce and its aftermath. It's quite a haunting, dramatic performance that will long be remembered. You will gasp. The rest of the cast performs admirably, Mr. Cutler providing solid technique, poise and feeling in one of the highest tessitura tenor roles around.
The production is handsome and simple. The direction is smart, and in the case of Netrebko, brilliant. This is a DVD I will get and I'm sure I'll return to several times.
Movie Review: I Puritani
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this opera live from the Met in January 2007 at the Cineplex Theatre in Brossard Canada. An excellent performance.