Search - Gioachino Rossini, Marcos Antonio Portugal, Giuliano Carella :: La Morte di Didone e Arie di Baule

Portogallo steals the show and Devia amazes as usual!

Armindo | Greece | 08/20/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"They love Devia in Italy and it's no wonder. She has done much to bring opera back to its roots and she's worth every applause she gets.



This is another one of her perfect recitals. Don't expect long top notes in the end of the scenes since this was performed at the Rossini festival so Devia complies with the composer's wishes who didn't ask for fireworks. He did write a lot of notes but they are supposed to express feelings, not impress the audience and expressive Devia is. Her focused, balsamic-vinegar-like voice in in great shape and promises a stunning evening.



The Turco scene opens the recital and Devia sounds better than in the staged performance of this opera 2 years earlier. Fiorilla's desparation and confusion is also evident and makes the scene very exciting till the end. I really enjoy having a soprano sing Fiorilla. Devia performed Adelaide di Borgonia in the 80s and the next scene brings back memories of those very fine recordings and performances. Portogallo's morte di Semiramide was for me the winning piece of this recital. Very similar to Rossini but sounding a bit more meaningful. La morte di Didone closes this great recital that I'm guessing led to the Decca Rossini cantata recordings. Bravissima!

"