3 reviews
A solid Ernani, worth watching for Furlanetto and Hvorostovsky
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 27, 2012
- Permalink
Macho Men
Ernani is the story of three macho males arguing over the same woman: there is Ernani, the bandit, de Silva the nobleman and Don Carlo, the king. The plot is more than a little bit sexist since Elvira, the unfortunate object of their rivalry, does not get any say in the matter. The rivals have ample opportunity to kill each other throughout the drama but they always refrain for reasons of honour or courtesy. On one occasion when de Silva spares Ernani, Ernani offers him a raincheck. He gives him a hunting horn and tells him that whenever he wants him to kill himself he just has to blow on the horn. At this point, most opera-goers give up any further attempt to suspend disbelief.
This is a revival of the 1983 production that comes up sparkling and new with beautiful costumes and sets. With one notable exception, there is also a sparkling cast. Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Bass Ferruccio Furlanetto slug it out impressively as the King Carlo and de Silva. Angela Meade is very impressive as Elvira, in what is essentially a bel canto role in this early Verdi opera. She is a new name to me but, apparently, she made her Met debut in this role in 2008 when, as understudy, she stepped in for Sondra Radvanovsky.
The one exception is Marcello Giordano whose strangulated tenor just does not cut it in this exalted company. Unaccountably Giordano appears to be a big favourite of the Met and of Met audiences. Much to my chagrin, he has now appeared in seven of these Met HD recordings. Generally, he takes roles that Plácido Domingo made his own. Frankly he is no substitute so I shall be sticking to my fuzzy 1982 version of Ernani with Domingo filmed at La Scala.
Incidentally, there is one extra death in this production, over and above that specified by Verdi. I will not give the game away for anyone who has never seen this opera but it does make a nonsense of the last few lines of the libretto.
This is a revival of the 1983 production that comes up sparkling and new with beautiful costumes and sets. With one notable exception, there is also a sparkling cast. Baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Bass Ferruccio Furlanetto slug it out impressively as the King Carlo and de Silva. Angela Meade is very impressive as Elvira, in what is essentially a bel canto role in this early Verdi opera. She is a new name to me but, apparently, she made her Met debut in this role in 2008 when, as understudy, she stepped in for Sondra Radvanovsky.
The one exception is Marcello Giordano whose strangulated tenor just does not cut it in this exalted company. Unaccountably Giordano appears to be a big favourite of the Met and of Met audiences. Much to my chagrin, he has now appeared in seven of these Met HD recordings. Generally, he takes roles that Plácido Domingo made his own. Frankly he is no substitute so I shall be sticking to my fuzzy 1982 version of Ernani with Domingo filmed at La Scala.
Incidentally, there is one extra death in this production, over and above that specified by Verdi. I will not give the game away for anyone who has never seen this opera but it does make a nonsense of the last few lines of the libretto.
Very good production of Ernani
Ernani is not among the best nor most popular Verdi operas and one of his earlier operas. I prefer Rigoletto,Othello,La Traviata and Aida to it. The final scene is touching. The sets and costumes look lovely,if sometimes a bit too dark. Angela Meade as Elvira I found the weakest link,but she was good as well. Marcello Giordani I found vocally better as Pinkerton and Calaf,but he was good in acting. Ferrucio Furlanetto is a force of nature as Silva and the best thing was baritone Dmitry Hvorostovsky as the king. Overall ,this was a very good production of one of Verdi's less known and less popular pieces 7,5/10.
- AngelofMusic1998
- Feb 23, 2023
- Permalink