A lot of the music is beautifully and memorably realised…[Veronesi] conducts with much élan and the cast are in good shape. Alagna is passionate but never hysterical in tracking the extremes of Araquil’s emotions. Kurzak lacks only the colour of character that Lucia Popp, no less, brought to the role

Alagna is energetic, precise in phrasing and, as usual, diligent in projecting the sung text. His timbre is leathery, not youthful, even if in mid-performance more shine creeps in. Aleksandra Kurzak partners him well and gives an insightful dramatic performance in a rather light voice, at climaxes her soprano tends to spread.