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Bellini - I Puritani [2007]
![Bellini - I Puritani [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51u5gFUZivL._SL160_.jpg)
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £13.61 (subject to change)
A sparkling production
Review date: 2008-02-13 Rating: 10 out of 10
The previous review seriously underplays, I think, the many virtues of this marvellous production. The sets are very good, the orchestra is first class, the conducting excellent, and the atmosphere strong. All the main singers are high quality. Anna Netrebko, to my mind, gives an amazing performance, full of characterization and beautiful singing. Her coloratura is not quite in the Sutherland league - but I have recently re-watched/listened to the latter and, while the high notes of Sutherland's voice are peerless, overall Netrebko's voice + acting + appearance tilt the scales clearly in her favour.
This is a bargain of a DVD.
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Reviews
plodding puritani
Review date: 2008-01-30 Rating: 8 out of 10
Dramatically, this isn't one of Bellini's strongest works. Musically, it is sublime. and so the need for singing over drama is easy to understand. This production was originally mounted for Sutherland and Pavarotti, who no doubt provided bel canto a plenty. The new cast try to make more sense of the drama and the singing isn't in the same league.
La Netrebko looks lovely throughout, and has a beautiful voice. But she's overparted by the florid nature of much of this music. Her voice has a heavy slavic quality and she simply doesn't sparkle in the famous polonaise (and is often flat). "Ah vieni o tempio" at the end of act 1, where she sings more lyric music, suits her much better, and the histrionics of the mad scene draw some fine moments, although, once again, her coloratrura is muddy. The final (Malibran) cabaletta is similarly prosaic. A frustrating singer, who has so much to offer but who hasn't really the technique for this repertoire. And her interpretation of the text - whatever one might think of it's quality - is perfunctory. This is a show-off opera, sure, but a little more integrity and intelligence would compensate for technical shortcomings.
Eric Cutler just manages his high notes in "Ah, te o Caro" but they're not especially lovely. Otherwise he gives a clean decently sung Arturo. It's a killer role. The other parts are well sung.
I generally warmed to the magnificent sets and elaborate costumes, but the "production" is non-existant, and there's nothing very thrilling about it. That wouldn't matter with fabulous singing. Netrebko's fans will imagine she provides it. But I think posterity will put her in the Anna Moffo camp rather than the Callas one, if she's not careful.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Eduardo Valdes
Eric Cutler
John Relyea
Anna Netrebko
Franco Vassallo
Creators:
Eric Cutler (Primary Contributor)
Anna Netrebko (Primary Contributor)
Patrick Summers (Conductor)
Director(s):
Recording label: Universal Classics & Jazz
Manufacturer: Universal Classics & Jazz
EAN: 0044007344217
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Classical, DVD-Video, PAL,
Release date: 2008-01-21
Universal product code (UPC): 044007344217
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Exempt
Running time: 140 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2006-12-30
Language: Italian (Original Language)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: German (Subtitled)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)