I hadn't seen or heard much of this Opera until yesterday when I spent the afternoon watching the New York Met production from earlier this year, starring the wonderful Anna Netrebko, on Sky Arts.
Enjoyed it immensely ;D ;D
So just wondering other people's thoughts on this Opera, and perhaps the Met performance itself if anyone else has seen/heard it?
Quote from: DanielFullard on November 18, 2007, 06:22:53 AM
I hadn't seen or heard much of this Opera until yesterday when I spent the afternoon watching the New York Met production from earlier this year, starring the wonderful Anna Netrebko, on Sky Arts.
Enjoyed it immensely ;D ;D
So just wondering other people's thoughts on this Opera, and perhaps the Met performance itself if anyone else has seen/heard it?
I Puritani is one of my favorite operas. Seems like it is one long series of melodies. I have not seen the Met performance. There is a DVD available of a different performance. My favorite Cd recording has Pavarotti and Sutherland. There is also another recording with Caballe that is good.
Yeah after seeing it I definetly am seeking to add it to my collection. Big fan of Opera on DVD's so Ill try hunting one down.
Why do there appear to be so few versions on DVD or CD? Was it recorded a lot back in the days of Vinyl?
I don't know about many versions in vinyl but I have been looking for a VHS or DVD since 1997 and only last year found the one I mentioned in a former post. They really missed the boat when they neglected to record Pavarotti on VHS or DVD.
I always think that Bervely Sills is the greatest soprano for I puritani.She surpassed Both of Callas and Sutherland in this opera because of her extremely brilliant voice and wonderful acting.You should listen to many versions of ''Son vergin vezzosa '' to find that.
On January 2008, DG are releasing the Met performance of I Puritani on DVD :
(http://www.deutschegrammophon.com/imgs/s300x300/0734421.jpg)
She recently said how she regretted signing up to do some trashy opera and how she could not get out of the contract.
It turned out that she was referring to this opera.
I do not agree, of course, it has many fine moments and rattles along apace to its, for once, happy ending.
However, the plot is really rather silly, motivation hinging around the hero being seen with another woman who just happens to be...the Queen of England! He was, merely, facilitating her escape from I Puritani!
Quote from: Hector on November 19, 2007, 04:45:16 AM
However, the plot is really rather silly, motivation hinging around the hero being seen with another woman who just happens to be...the Queen of England! He was, merely, facilitating her escape from I Puritani!
That doesn't bother me nearly as much as Elvira slipping in and out of madness as frequently and easily as Sean slips in and out of GMG membership. ;D
Love the opera, in any case.
This is one of those operas that I truly enjoy listening to. It helps not having the libretto and not following the alleged plot. Just listen to the music.
I do have the Pavo recording, but on cassette. I still kept it although I no longer have a cassette deck. I give it an occasional spin in my car.
I'll definetly be getting the DVD of the Netrbeko performance. Her best role Ive seen
I'm glad to see that the Met performance is coming out on DVD. I saw it in the theater and liked it. Yes, the story leaves a bit to be desired, but the music is beautiful. In an opera like this, the music is what matters most.
Heather
Another Italian opera in need of a fine modern recording!
The old Callas/Serafin/EMI was never the greatest soundwise.
Quote from: Hector on November 22, 2007, 04:27:50 AM
Another Italian opera in need of a fine modern recording!
The old Callas/Serafin/EMI was never the greatest soundwise.
But it has had at least two excellent recordings in pretty good stereo sound, though neither, admittedly is digital. Both the Caballe and Sutherland recordings enjoy pretty good modern sound, and are well cast and conducted. If neither soprano achieves quite Callas's uncanny ability to invest the character of Elvira with something like real flesh and blood, they both, none the less, sing quite beautifully. Both tenors are good, Pavarotti having the richer sound, but Kraus providing lessons in stylish singing. Juan Diego Florez might do the role justice now, but I can't think of a contemporary soprano who could improve on the contributions of either Callas, Sutherland or Caballe.
I enjoy the youtube i puritani competition. I recommend you take a look at the comparison of a variety of soprano's
Has anyone seen the Youtube video that compares the High F of about a dozen tenors? It's... quite something to hear. I think I prefer when they transpose it down... Although, I like how pavarotti did it in full falsetto.
I discovered this opéra at Bruxelles on 26 May 2007. It's a wonderful opéra. I bougth this recording
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419QYX1HSHL._AA240_.jpg)
If chernov is a beautiful Riccardo, his duet with Pertusi (as Giorgio) isn't very good