DVD Salzburg Don Giovanni 2008

DVD. Don Giovanni. Salzburger Festspiele 2008. Prod: Claus Guth, cond: Bertrand De Billy with the Vienna Philharmonic. Cast: Christopher Maltman (Don G), Erwin Schrott (Leporello), Annette Dasch (Donna A), Dorothea Röschmann (Donna E), Alex Esposito (Masetto), Ekaterina Siurina (Zerlina).

When I saw this production in Salzburg in 2008, I found it to be a masterpiece only marred by non-inventive playing from the Vienna Philharmonics under Bertrand De Billy. Though the DVD was recorded within 2 weeks of my visit, I find the playing on the DVD considerably more interesting, though De Billy is certainly no Barenboim in this repertoire.

The concept still holds to an extent that I without doubt find this the most interesting Don Giovanni DVD on the market: Described in detail in my 2008 report, Don Giovanni is a man fighting his own demons, a somewhat rootless character on his way to destruction. Here, the women are the strong ones.

On top, the circular set used throughout the opera is wonderfully surreal and uneasy: A dark, hilly pine wood + a bus stop. Clearly among the best stagings I have seen from Claus Guth.

Based on her recent performances as Elsa (Lohengrin) in Bayreuth, I wonder if Annette Dasch´s  voice is already beginning to decline (she is in her early thirties), but this Donna Anna she delivers. Dorothea Röschmann´s classically sung Donna Elvira leaves almost nothing to be desired, except perhaps a bit more radiance. Christopher Maltman convinces as the desperate Don alongside Erwin Schrott, a superbly acted, and slightly less superbly sung Leporello as he is sometimes criticised for not actually singing the notes, which he doesnt. Matthew Polenzani makes the best of the rather boring part as Don Ottavio, while Ekaterina Siurina and Alex Esposito are charming as Zerlina/Massetto.

In the pine wood:

The bottom line (scale of 1-5, 3=average):

Christopher Maltman: 4
Erwin Schrott: 4
Annette Dasch: 4
Dorothea Röschmann: 4
Matthew Polenzani: 4
Ekaterina Siurina: 4
Alex Esposito: 4


Claus Guth: 5
Bertrand De Billy: 4

Overall impression: 5

Elina Garanca: Bel Canto

Elina Garanca: Bel canto. Arias from Bellini, Rossini, Donizetti. With Filharmonia del Teatro Communale di Bologna. Released by DG January 2009. Conductor: Roberto Abbado. Appearances by Ildebrando d´Arcangelo and Ekaterina Siurina. Further information and tracklist on the album website here.

32-year Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca recently stated in an interview that she tends to move increasingly into the bel canto repertoire for upcoming seasons. And based on this album, that seems a very, very good idea.

Quite simply, Elina Garanca is spectacular from A to Z in this repertoire including arias from Lucrezia Borgia, Maria Stuarda, I Capuleti e Montecchi as well as a couple of rarities.

Her one-in-a-million timbre an effortless coloratura shine throughout in a repertoire she is truly very comfortble with. True, at the utmost upper range of her voice it may seem a bit uncontrolled, and her diction is not really to write home about. But the bel canto in the truest sense of the word, she provides in spades.

Elina Garanca has always been characterized by a straightforward no-nonsense and non-sentimental delivery, and in this respect I find much more nuances and shades of expression and individual characterization on this her second solo disc for DG opposed to previous disc Aria Cantilena, also highly recommended.

Furthermore the collaboration with Roberto Abbado´s Bologna orchestra is unusually energetic and truly infuses life and drama into the whole thing. Ekaterina Siurina participated in a couple of tracks as well, hoping the DG would sign her up as well, as she is really exquisite.

I suspect, in years to come, this Bel Canto disc may well stand out as one Elina Garanca´s finest discs. Strongly recommended. Even for non belcanto afficionados, among whom I count myself.

From Adelson e Salvini "Dopo l´oscuro nembo":

Overall impression (scale of 1-5, 3=average):
4

Posted by leporello89 on YouTube

DVD: Salzburg Idomeneo with Harteros, Kozena, Siurina, Vargas

Idomeneo. Salzburg Festival 2006. Production: Ursel and Karl-Ernst Herrmann. Cast: Ramón Vargas (Idomeneo), Magdalena Kozena (Idamante), Ekaterina Siurina (Ilia), Anja Harteros (Elettra). Conductor: Sir Roger Norrington witht the Salzburger Camerata. Further information here.

Ursel and Karl-Ernst Herrmann has created a minimalistic staging using simple, bright colours, in which he stage extends in front of the orchestra. Thus the singers continually circle the stage appearing on all sides of the orchestra located in the middle. These sorts of minimalistic setting obviously leave ample space for the music to shine, however when as loosely directed as seems the case here, they also place great demands on the artists, as they are basically up there, entirely naked.

And in that respect, the protagonists range between fine and excellent.
Magdalena Kozena is vocally ideal as Idamante with her smooth and light, agile mezzo. On stage, however, she seems uncomfortable and her Idamante appears a hyperactive neurotic. Though, who know, he perhaps is a hyperactive neurotic? And in her scenes with Ekaterina Siurinas beautifully sung and stylishly acted Ilia they did appear convincingly in love. Notwithstanding the intrigues from Anja Harteros mightily impressive Elettra, to be heard below in her mad scene. As the only one, Ramón Vargas disappointed somewhat as a rather dry-sounding Idomeneo.

Vivacious accompaniment from Sir Roger Norrington and the Salzburger Camerata.

This is part of the Mozart22 collection, the DVD-recordings of Mozart´s entire operatic output to celebrate the 250th year of his birth at the 2006 Salzburg Festival.

Idamante (Magdalena Kozena), Non ho colpa:

Anja Harteros: D´Oreste, d´Ajace

The bottom line (scale of 1-5, 3=average):

Magdalena Kozena: 4
Ramón Vargas: 3
Anja Harteros: 4-5
Ekaterina Siurina: 5

Ursel and Karl-Ernst Herrmann´s staging: 4

Sir Roger Norrington: 4

Overall impression: 4

Posted by terezqa on YouTube