Search - Giuseppe Verdi, David Parry, Susan Patterson :: Verdi - Ernani / Patterson · Gavin · Opie · P. Rose · ENO · Parry [in English]

Blood and Thunder - English style

Ed Beveridge | London, England | 10/28/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Another feather in the cap - if not quite a jewel in the crown - of Chandos' Opera in English series. This is a recording in English of one of Verdi's early pot boilers which fleshes out a rather flimsy plot with some pretty fabulous music (among some less inspired work), and Chandos are certainly to be commended for delving into slightly unfamiliar repertoire. The recording is based on English National Opera's 2000 production and most of the cast has been transferred from stage to disc. Even the packaging has plenty of images from the (splendidly traditional) show alongside a rather odd looking Susan Patterson photo-fit on the box cover.David Parry conducted then, and he does so here with the same commitment and dash that marked out his Trovatore for the same label. The orchestral playing is exemplary and he builds the finales to a fine head of steam. The balance is the major drawback of this recording - some of the voices sound as though they are in the next room whilst others are uncomfortably closely recorded, and this leads to some jarring moments throughout.That said, it must be hard to match a voice like Julian Gavin's with one like Opie's or Patterson's. Gavin is, I fear, best heard on stage where his plangent sound can make its dramatic points in person. He can sound perilously monochrome and brittle, even though he has a big Italianate sound when the score requires it. No such complaints about Opie, who is throughout in rock-solid voice. His Verdian style is beyond question. He makes as much as he can of the perplexing character of Carlo, doer of dastardly dees until he gets religion in Act 3 and vanishes for the remainder of the show. Peter Rose, though perhaps a bit youthful for Silva, is a strong dramatic presence, sounding sometimes inky and gruff but also able to employ great beauty of tone.The only principal not to survive from the performances is the Elvira; a beautiful pawn passed between the three principal men and always on hand to give a top line to an ensemble. The lighter voiced Sandra Ford is here replaced by Susan Patterson, an American boasting a beefy spinto with a metallic edge above the stave. She too has great style, sings passionately and posesses impressive agility. She sings words as though they mean something - though this recording will not go down in history for exemplary diction.A bit of a mixed bag, then, but a useful achievement for Chandos, a good memory of the ENO production, and a very good intorduction to Ernani for hose who don't know the work. At mid-price, it is a recommendable set."