(review in English below)
Cavalleria Rusticana é uma ópera em um acto de Pietro Mascagni com libretto de Giovanni Targioni-Torzetti e Guido Menasci.
Passada numa aldeia siciliana, é uma história de ciúme, traição e morte, do verismo italiano. Turiddu, noivo de Lola, cumpre o serviço militar e, quando regressa, constata que ela se casou com Alfio, um camponês rico. Turiddu tenta esquecer a sua mágoa com Santuzza, a personagem principal da ópera. Ela descobre que Turiddu volta a encontrar-se com Lola. Santuzza procura Turiddu na taberna da mãe, Lucia. Tomada pelo ciúme informa Alfio da infidelidade da mulher. Este confirma as suspeitas e desafia Turiddu para um duelo. A ópera termina com um grito anunciando a morte de Turiddu.
A encenação Grischa Asagaroff é excelente, recriando fielmente a ambiente da aldeia siciliana. A procissão é espectacular. No vestuário das mulheres domina a cor negra. A movimentação cénica é muito bem conseguida.
Alexander Vedernikov, maestro russo, brindou-nos com uma interpretação emotiva e inspirada, que muito contribuiu para a elevada qualidade do espectáculo. A Orquestra Philharmonia Zürich e o Coro da Ópera de Zurique estiveram em grande forma.
Nos solistas dominou a qualidade e homogeneidade.
Waltraud Meier, mezzo alemão, foi uma Santuzza assinalável. A voz, apesar da idade, continua expressiva, de timbre agradável e marcante em toda a extensão. Cenicamente excelente, é mais uma das poucas cantoras que é também uma exímia actriz.
O Turiddu do tenor sérvio Zoran Todorovich foi, igualmente, de excepção. Voz forte, imponente, afinada, perfeita para o papel. A presença cénica também impressionou muito positivamente.
A Lucia do mezzo suiço Irene Friedli foi muito agradável de apreciar, tanto na voz como na postura.
O barítono italiano Lucio Gallo fez um Alfio notável e a figura adapta-se bem ao papel. Já aqui referi várias vezes que reconheço bons atributos vocais a este cantor, apesar de não gostar dos trejeitos bocais que faz. Não evitou esse tique mas foi menos notório que noutras vezes.
Apesar de gostar bastante da música desta ópera, a récita a que assisti suplantou as minhas expectativas.
*****
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA, Opernhaus Zürich, January 2013
Cavalleria Rusticana is an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni with libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Torzetti and Guido Menasci.
The action occurs in a Sicilian village, and is a story of jealousy, betrayal and death. An opera of Italian verismo. Turiddu, Lola’ fiance, was doing his military service and when he returned, he found she had married Alfio, a rich peasant. Turiddu tries to forget his grief with Santuzza, the main character in the opera. She discovers that Turiddu meets Lola again. Santuzza looks forTuriddu at the tavern of his mother, Lucia. Taken by jealousy she tells Alfio about the infidelity of his wife. He confirms the suspicions and challenges Turiddu to a duel. The opera ends with a cry announcing the death of Turiddu.
Cavalleria Rusticana is an opera in one act by Pietro Mascagni with libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Torzetti and Guido Menasci.
The action occurs in a Sicilian village, and is a story of jealousy, betrayal and death. An opera of Italian verismo. Turiddu, Lola’ fiance, was doing his military service and when he returned, he found she had married Alfio, a rich peasant. Turiddu tries to forget his grief with Santuzza, the main character in the opera. She discovers that Turiddu meets Lola again. Santuzza looks forTuriddu at the tavern of his mother, Lucia. Taken by jealousy she tells Alfio about the infidelity of his wife. He confirms the suspicions and challenges Turiddu to a duel. The opera ends with a cry announcing the death of Turiddu.
The staging of Grischa Asagaroff is excellent, faithfully recreating the atmosphere of a Sicilian village. The religious march is spectacular. In the women's clothing dominates the color black. The scenic action is very well concieved.
Alexander Vedernikov, Russian conductor, offered us an emotional and inspired direction, which contributed greatly to the high quality of the performance. Philharmonia Zürich Orchestra and Chorus of the Zurich Opera house were great.
Among soloists dominated the quality and homogeneity.
Alexander Vedernikov, Russian conductor, offered us an emotional and inspired direction, which contributed greatly to the high quality of the performance. Philharmonia Zürich Orchestra and Chorus of the Zurich Opera house were great.
Among soloists dominated the quality and homogeneity.
Waltraud Meier, German mezzo, was a remarkable Santuzza. The voice, despite her age, is still impressive and of pleasant timbre in all registers. Artistically she was outstanding, she is one of the few singers who is also an excellent actress.
Serbian tenor Zoran Todorovich was also an exceptional Turiddu. His voice is strong, beautiful, always tuned, perfect for the role. His stage presence was also very convincing.
Lucia of Swiss mezzo Irene Friedli was very pleasant in both vocal and stage performances.
Italian baritone Lucio Gallo was a remarkable Alfio and his figure is well suited to the role. I have already mentioned several times that I recognize good vocal attributes to this singer, though I do not like the funny gestures he does with his mouth while he sings. But this time these were less marked than in other times.
Although I quite like the music of this opera, this performance I attended surpassed my expectations.
*****
Serbian tenor Zoran Todorovich was also an exceptional Turiddu. His voice is strong, beautiful, always tuned, perfect for the role. His stage presence was also very convincing.
Lucia of Swiss mezzo Irene Friedli was very pleasant in both vocal and stage performances.
Italian baritone Lucio Gallo was a remarkable Alfio and his figure is well suited to the role. I have already mentioned several times that I recognize good vocal attributes to this singer, though I do not like the funny gestures he does with his mouth while he sings. But this time these were less marked than in other times.
Although I quite like the music of this opera, this performance I attended surpassed my expectations.
*****