Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Richard Bonynge, Mariella Devia :: Bellini - I Puritani

AN ELVIRA NOT TO BE MISSED!

Armindo | Greece | 05/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

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If you think, as I did before, that with the legendary Callas and Sutherland recordings everything about this role has been said, go for any Devia Elvira and think again!



Devia's distinctly Italian, round, focused voice and gifted phrasing give this gorgeous Bellini heroine a totally different personality. Her portrayal is different from Callas' penetrating one but what Devia does is sing the music perfectly and allow it to speak for itself. And it certainly does! Her approach sounds very similar to Caballe's whose inability to sing Fs, Es, E-flats however always left something to be desired. Well, desire no more! Devia nails any top note you ask for and make no mistake, this is not another thin, coloratura soprano. The middle and lower range of her instrument is as focused and individual as her top. Whereas with the spectacular Sutherland I've always felt I needed a cabaletta to appreciate her, Devia stuns me in the lyrical AND fast passages equally. And as a treat, Bonynge gave her here many of his wife's ornamentations, which suit Devia to a tee.



The supporting cast is unfortunately not up to her par, hence 4 stars. Matteuzzi's impressive but almost freakish tenor voice is an acquired taste and I doubt will make anyone forget Pavarotti. Washington and Robertson though doing a fine job, present no competition for Cappuccilli and Ghiaurov on the second Sutherland set. I've always found the older Bonynge a wiser conductor and am pleased with his approach here. The sound is superb by the way.



Recorded live in the Bellini Theatre, Devia that night paid a superb tribute to the great composer and one of his finest works. I wish I were there!



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