Devia, Arevaro, Antonucci, Martinovic, Walter Omaggio, Anna Bonitatibus, Neschling
The last copy available of this rare Donizetti opera!
We're very lucky Devia performed many rare bel canto operas because her exceptional singing brings life to these forgotten works. Adelia is a standard Donizetti opera and if you like his works you should give this one a listen.
This '98 performance is from the Teatro Carlo Felice di Genova. What amazes me is the condition of Devia's voice. More than 20 years after her debut, it's still an unbelievable instrument! It's now darker and a bit heavier but hasn't lost its flexibility, accuracy OR top register. The top register in particular is still so firm and exciting...I can only think of the very young Callas who had such exciting high notes in bel canto. As usual with Donizetti, he saved the best for last and Adelia's long final scene is gorgeous and spectacular.
The rest of the cast is fine but in this opera I feel they get routine arias and therefore fail to stand out. The sound is superb but the miking almost too close.
Fans of rare operas and rare voices like Devia's should not hesitate to get this recording.
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