SENSATIONAL!!!
W. Burton | NY & LA USA | 06/17/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'd like to break away from the qualifying and erudition for a moment and shout out, "THIS IS WHAT OPERA IS ALL ABOUT!". What a sensational performance! It is thrilling beyond all my expectations. It begins simply, almost as oratorio and never stops building, becoming more and more startling and melodic every step of the way - a great piece of theatre.
Maestro Zedda has conducted with grand passion, nuance and sense for tempi. He is a controlled wild man, wonderful with heart. The cast is nearly impossible for me to even imagine assembling today. Maxim Mirinov is outrageously fine, truly exciting. The mezzo sopranos, Sonia Ganassi and Marianna Pizzolato are far more than generic, they are exemplary. They sing with acumen, heart and humanity - no trick-voiced mezzos here. Olga Peretyatko sings beautifully, as does the rest of the cast, Mr. Gierlach, Mr. Von Bothmer and Mr. Cifolelli. They seems to delight in ensemble work as much as in their own particular star-turns. I love it, when a work lives as this does.
The sound of this live performance is remarkably fine - better than many studio recordings. The SWR Radio Orchestra and the Prague Chamber Choir are phenomenal. No libretto, (that can be had on the 'Net) but, what a great value."