In this melodically rich bel canto masterpiece, a femme fatale renowned for her ruthless pursuit of power reveals poignant vulnerability when she comes face to face with her long-lost son.
Director: Frank Zamacona
Conductor: Riccardo Frizza
Stars: Renée Fleming, Michael Fabiano, Elizabeth DeShong, Vitalij Kowaljow.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2962362/
Premiere: 1833
Time: Early 16th century
Place: Venice and Ferrara
Filmed at SF Opera, Sep/Oct 2011
Bought because of Michael Fabiano, one of contestants featured in The Audition (2008). He's ok here, but the role is not terrific. It's prominent (he really is the 2nd lead), but musically it doesn't play into his strengths as much as Traviata (Met on Demand).
Fleming was labeled as "too nice" for the role by some Amazon reviewer(s). The role is intended to show vulnerability in this supposedly ruthless (serial killer) character. I'll be interested to see how Joan Sutherland played it.
DeShong is familiar from Semiramide (2018). Both are trouser roles. I thought she was very good here too. There was physical affection between her character & Fabiano's that strongly suggested male bonding beyond friendship (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).
I liked Kowaljow a lot. I'm always happy for a good bass, bass/baritone. He has only a few other recordings, including a Wotan (or 2?) in 2010 Die Walküre (or 2?).
I chose the still shot instead of the drab dvd cover to illustrate why I like the sets/costumes.
The story is another long lost parent/child (unknown to each other) reunion, but it's not clear that his loyalty shifts when she tells him; it's right at the end of the opera. It was also not clear to me when she determined the truth, probably their 1st act duet.
Rated 9.0 (7)
SFOpera, cond. Frizza; 8
