Search - Gaetano Donizetti, Thomas Schippers, Trieste Philharmonic Orchestra :: Donizetti: Il Duca d'Alba

Slam Bang Performance of Forgotten Opera

Richard Berg | Charleston, SC United States | 04/02/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Duke has suffered much abuse, much of it having to do with the fact that Donizetti died before he could finish it, that several attempts were made to finish it (some "better" than others), and that Verdi used Scribe's libretto for "I Vespri" (probably just by scratching out the title; Scribe was of the waste not want not class. It is quite intriquing to compare how the composers attacked the first act, for which the libretti are almost identical . . .especially the final duet.) Whatever,"Il Duca d'Alba" deserves far better than it has gotten, and, if you want to know why, get hold of this recording (which is so inexpensive that it's almost a gift). "Duca" is French Grand Opera through Italian eyes . . . big ensemble finales and four acts. And, whoever actually wrote them, most of the numbers are really top rate, especially the big second and third act finales. And the music for the last ten minutes is quite moving. What's even better is that Schippers whips up a truly exciting performance, even if the cast is a bit B-List (and the recording not quite up to today's standards). I saw the Spoleto performance of "Il Duca" (in Charleston, about a decade ago), and the concert performance in NY some years after that. This is an opera that deserves better, and surely got what it deserves with this performance. And again, who cares who actually wrote it?"