Search - Donizetti, Devia, Mazzola :: Elisabetta Regina

Rare Donizetti and Captivating Devia!!

Armindo | Greece | 04/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When the right artists perform a rare Donizetti opera, it can be so riveting that makes you wonder why it isn't more popular. This is certainly the case with Elisabetta al Castello di Kennilworth!



I've waited too long to discover Mariella Devia, a no-nonsense soprano who has a genuine Italian voice and temperament to make me look forward to every phrase she sings. Not only is the voice firm, strong, and the registers even, but her florid technique is brilliant as well! One doesn't expect such agility, or such exciting high notes from this type of even, dark voice. This instrument belongs to another era when Opera meant voice, not psychoanalysis in order to hide vocal problems. Some argue Devia is sometimes bland but I hear every emotion Donizetti injected in his music here.



If Mazzola is not quite Devia's equal, she's pretty close! Powerful and exciting throughout the entire performance! Their encounters are hot stuff! The chaps will not disappoint either. Both are competent singers with fine voices but the showstoppers here are the two primadonnas.



This live 1989 Donizetti Theatre performance is a spectacular tribute to Donizetti's work and a fabulous introduction to the wonderful Devia.

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