Cecilia Bartoli; Juan-Diego Flórez; Ildebrando D'Arcangelo; Liliana Nikiteanu; Gemma Bertagnolli; Peter Kalman; Javier Camarena; Orchestra la Scintilla; Alessandro de Marchi
Bellini: La sonnambula
Gramophone Editor's Choice - February 2009
The world's biggest bel canto stars Cecilia Bartoli and Juan Diego Flórez in a major new studio recording of Bellini's Romantic masterpiece La sonnambula.
The two leading bel canto super stars of today, Cecilia Bartoli and Juan Diego Flórez join forces for the first time in the most complete and authentic recording of Bellini's La sonnambula - an eagerly awaited moment in the operatic world and a must have item for all Fans of Bartoli and Flórez.
Supported by a continued global tour covering Europe, Japan and America, this release finishes off the festival of celebrations for the bicentenary year of Maria Malibran (1808 - 1836).
It is the first ever recording with a 'mezzo-soprano' in the lead role, and the first ever recording with a period instrument orchestra.
Many of the cadenzas sung by Cecilia Bartoli are those used by the great 19th Century interpreter of the role, Maria Malibran.
Wholenote Review
The raison d’être of any recording of Bellini’s La Sonnambula, one of the most charming bel canto operas, is a great coloratura soprano. This recording offers something different – a great coloratura mezzo. Cecilia Bartoli is a remarkable singer, commanding a huge range, stunning agility, and overwhelming dramatic inclinations. But her idiosyncratic mannerisms – excessive breathiness, quiet cooing noises, heavily aspirated coloratura – are cloying, especially when she is allowed to indulge in them as often as here. While she makes great efforts to lighten and soften her voice, her rich mezzo with its tightly-wound vibrato is the wrong colour for the sleepwalking Amina. And transposing three scenes down to accommodate her lower range makes the recording more about Bartoli than Bellini. No transpositions are needed for tenor Juan Diego Flórez, who gives one of the finest performances of Elvino on record. Flórez sails through this difficult part with accuracy and élan, confirming his reputation as the finest bel canto tenor on stage today. Ildebrando D’Arcangelo gives a warm, commanding performance as Rodolfo, though the smaller roles are taken by singers of lesser talents. The Orchestra La Scintilla of the Zurich Opera House provides authentic period instrument accompaniment, and is beautifully conducted by Alessandro De Marchi. Though there is much here to enjoy, those looking for a recording of the opera in modern sound would be better off with Natalie Dessay in the title role on a recent Virgin Records release. Seth Estrin - Concert Note: Orchestra La Scintilla accompanies Cecilia Bartoli in a program celebrating the life and art of the great 19th century opera singer Maria Malibran, a superstar of her era and inspiration for such composers as Rossini and Donizetti, at Roy Thomson Hall on March 1.