Search - Mario Sereni, Giuseppe Verdi, Thomas Schippers :: Verdi: Ernani

An Early Verdi Muiscal, If Not Dramatic Gem

Timothy Kearney | Hull, MA United States | 10/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"ERNANI is one of Verdi's earlier operas that doesn't get staged all that often. For a while it was performed somewhat frequently in Italy, and there have been some notable stagings of the work at New York's Metropolitan Opera, but the revivals are not because it is a long neglected work as mush as it's a showcase for performers who want to display their vocal skills, and this opera gives great singers a variety of opportunities to give the listener vocal fireworks. The story of the opera is not one of the all time great opera plots: a displaced nobleman becomes a thief, tries to capture the woman he loves so that she won't marry his rival, in a strange turn of events manages to gain her hand in marriage, only to kill himself later because honor is greater than love. It doesn't make all that much sense to listeners today, but it contains all the trappings of opera and in its day was a crowd pleaser, due to the wonderful music. We find a maturing Verdi who is about to reach his stride, the same Verdi who will soon give the world favorites such as RIGOLETTO, LA TRAVIATA, and IL TROVATORE. Like Verdi's great mid period works, it has catchy arias that are show stoppers and rousing choruses that Verdi lovers have grown to love.



The two principals: Leontyne Price as Elvira and Carlo Bergonzi in the title role are spectacular and the robust conducting of Thomas Schippers shows us what we missed by losing him just as his career was rising. Bergonzi's voice is smooth and Price, who is in top vocal form, is spellbinding. We really don't get an emotive quality in either performance, perhaps because getting into the roles may be somewhat difficult, but the beauty of the singing makes up for any lack of dramatic intensity and since there aren't scores of this opera in recorded form, I'm not sure we miss it. It's an opera that's fun to listen to from time to time and when listening to it, we see glimpses of what is yet to come in the Verdi canon. Perhaps because of the Spanish setting, as well as some of the arias, duets, and trios, listeners are reminded of TROVATORE and FORZA.



Enjoy!!!

"

Rich early Verdi opera superbly sung!

D. J. Edwards | Cheshire, CT United States | 02/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bergonzi and Price are absolutely outstanding in this recording! Rich, high notes ring out powerfully free of distortion and strain. Bergonzi's tenor is vocal velvet with notes spun out effortlessly in a resonant, full timber. Price is Price! What else can you say! One of the greatest Verdi sopranos since Milanov and Tebaldi. Leona Mitchell sang in this class and now we have Sondra Radvanovsky. Thank god the torch gets passed on.Price was blessed with an almost unerring technique that produced the most prodigious sounds: velvet, creamy timber, mesmerizing piano, and what other phrases you may think of. Sereni and Flagello do well vocally but are uninspired. Schippers directs the score superbly with gusto and refinement. The RCA Italiana doesn't get the attention they deserve and under Schippers's knowing baton we have a treasure."

Abundant Understanding of Verdi!

Impostazione | New York City Area | 04/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Positively, Ernani is a beautiful opera, not only in music, but in presentation on stage. It has a bouncy quality; light, yet somehow intensely dramatic. Verdi makes use of sonority very effectively to create various moods.We must forgive the libretto.I find it amazing what Price and Bergonzi are able to do together. There is a perfect quality that results from the understanding that each artist has for the composer and each other. They are on equal ground and hauntingly beautiful at times. Flagello has a round, rich, and lovely tone. This performance lacks passion and for that reason it is not perfect because all the "style" and technique in the world (which are so prized in our times) cannot replace and will never replace what the soul longs for. Mr. Verdi himself said: "I am more than ever convinced that for works of music you must have above all: fire, spirit, muscle, and enthusiasm."The 1951 Cetra Ernani with Mancini and Prevatali conducting is full of spirit and generosity, but this one is the most beautiful."