Donizetti: Anna Bolena

Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Ildebrando D'Arcangelo (Enrico), Francesco Meli (Percy), Dan Paul Dumitrescu (Lord Rochefort), Elisabeth Kulman (Smeton), Peter Jelosits (Hervey)

Chor der Wiener Staatsoper & Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper, Evelino Pidò

It's no accident that Netrebko's better forays into bel canto have come with Garanca by her side, inspiring her to some lovely singing. Their voices blend beautifully...I find her a welcome counterpoint... — International Record Review, May 2012 More…

Release Date: 14th Nov 2011
Catalogue No: 0734725
Label: Deutsche Grammophon

Donizetti: Anna Bolena

Anna Netrebko (Anna Bolena), Elina Garanca (Giovanna Seymour), Ildebrando D'Arcangelo (Enrico), Francesco Meli (Percy), Dan Paul Dumitrescu (Lord Rochefort), Elisabeth Kulman (Smeton), Peter Jelosits (Hervey)
Chor der Wiener Staatsoper & Orchester der Wiener Staatsoper
Evelino Pidò

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Favourites, Gaetano Donizetti

Katherine has some difficult decisions to make about favourite recordings of operas by Gaetano Donizetti.

With her sensational role debut at the Vienna State Opera, superstar diva Anna Netrebko displays a performance of rare vocal and dramatic power. The Russian soprano sings the role of the unjustly accused second wife of British King Henry VIII, ‘veering between indignant fury and tender righteousness’ and demonstrating a new level of confidence in her technique with excellent ‘passagework, particularly in trills, and seamless runs even to the lowest notes’ (Opera News).

The performance also stars DG mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča, in ‘a fantastic display of bel canto’ (Opera News) as Anna's rival Giovanna Seymour. Ildebrando D’Arcangelo brings his beautifully dark tone to the role of Enrico and young Italian tenor Francesco Meli sings the demanding role of Lord Percy with a ‘youthful virility’ (Agence France Press), promising great things for the future. On the podium Evelino Pidò 'drew playing of unusual precision and refinement...making every note matter' (Financial Times).

Reviews

May 2012

It's no accident that Netrebko's better forays into bel canto have come with Garanca by her side, inspiring her to some lovely singing. Their voices blend beautifully...I find her a welcome counterpoint to Netrebko's passionate queen...Netrebko emerges from the challenge triumphantly. The sincerity in her performance is admirable, while the darker vocal qualities she possesses suit the character well.

May 2012

[Netrebko] gives a demonstration of characterisation and bel canto vocal virtuosity that is second to none, Callas included...Garanca’s is a consummate interpretation by an artist at the top of her game...D'Arcangelo is a tall, handsome and seductive Enrico whose smooth singing only lacks a little lower extension... Pidò adds to his reputation in this music with a well-paced and phrased interpretation.

June 2014

Shades of The Tudors in this great-looking Vienna State Opera production from 2011, with Ildebrando d'Arcangelo's glamorous Henry VIII exuding authority if not historical accuracy (Henry would have cut a far less seductive figure by the time of the events depicted in the opera!). Anna Netrebko gives one of her finest performances to date as a fiery but guilt-ridden Anne Boleyn, and her scenes with Elina Garanca's cool, superbly sung Jane Seymour are utterly enthralling.

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Donizetti: Anna Bolena

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Favourites, Gaetano Donizetti

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