Search - Giacomo Puccini, Alberto Veronesi, Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra :: Puccini: Edgar

While Puccini would denounce Edgar, his second opera, later in life, it still has many thrilling--if crude and bombastic--moments. One can certainly recognize the composer in it, and there are many beautiful, engaging melodies. The plot is dumb and full of holes--Edgar is alternately in love with the lovely Fidelia or the wicked Tigrana. He has an enormous amount of music to sing and it tends to be both loud and high. Placido Domingo, well over 60, handles it splendidly. Of course, his is not the voice of a young man, but he sings with passion and huge tone, and his fans will not be disappointed. Adriana Damato as Fidelia lacks sweetness of tone and phrasing, although her third act is quite effective. Marianne Cornetti is a good, dark Tigrana, but the role is awkwardly written and none of the recorded singers truly impress in the part. Juan Pons's Frank (Fidelia's brother) is sung with his usual all-purpose involvement and fuzzy tone. Alberto Veronesi leads orchestra and chorus in a performance that is just manic and overbearing enough--this is an opera that makes a lot of noise. The engineers have done a grand job, occasional burying of the singers apart. The preferred recording remains with Scotto and Bergonzi. --Robert Levine