Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This is the only DVD so far of this rather neglected opera . Its neglect is perhaps because it is formidably difficult to perform requireing six top quality singers in all vocal ranges and to paraphrase Alan Blyth,the British public's abhorrance to a strong melodrama such as this. However, it is still very popular in the U.S. , Italy and as we see,in Vienna. British neither here nor there, this is a highly satisfying work
both musically and dramatically. Strong passion is the key word: here we have everything, love, hate,evil, jealousy,gratitude,betrayal you name it. Setting:the picturesque but decadent 16th century Venice with its palazzos, islands and dead canals ,the very stuff of Romanticism. The music is very melodic in the
tradition of the great Verdi of his middle period. There definite echoes of "Un Ballo in Maschera"
and even " Otello" , but Ponchielli's music is no copy,it is original and he points forward to a new generation of opera composers.We ,of course musn't forget the excellent libretto by "Tobio Gorrio" (Arrigo Boito),Verdi's librettist in Otello and Falstaff.
This is a very fine performance, dating back to 1986, with sumptious , resplendent décor and
beautiful costumes in the traditional manner, probably best suited for this opera, not to mention the Vienna Philharmonic in the orchestra pit.
For the title role one usually thinks of the great sopranos (Tebaldi,Callas,Caballe) who tackled this role with memorable success. It is a very difficult role, encompassing a great range of range and emotion and dramatic acting. Eva Marton, though does't quite measure up to the stars mentioned, still gives a very satisfying performance especially the "Suicidio" aria. She is also great in the duets and assembly scenes, has a wonderful stage presence and passionate acting ability, which carries through her singing.
For the tenor lead, Placido Domingo is beyond praise. We are fortunate to hear a young Domingo
with a beautiful, strong , youthful and Italianate voice, magnificent throughout. The aria "Cielo e il mar" rarely sounded better.
The supporting roles are also splendid. Fortunately, Ponchelli wrote a lot of wonderful music for them. Just to mention the magnificently inspired second act with the mezzo Ludmila Semtchuk in two duets, one after the other, her voice is clear, strong and inspired - worthy of her predecessor the
great Marilyn Horne in the role of Laura. The evil, conniving Barnaba gets the famous aria "O monumento! " where we hear echoes of Jago's "Credo" in Otello. The cheated husband,
Kurt Rydl is suitably brutal and ruthless, although at this time his voice was somewhat higher than it is now. ( I saw him recently in the role of Osmin where his voice was much deeper)
It is good to see a young Adam Fischer conducting the VPO. He has since became world famous
specially with his recording of the complete Haydn symphonies. Here we see a sensitive young man working hard to bring out all the beauty of this score. He is quite successful, although an Italian conductor, like Gardelli has sounded more effortless and flowing and genuine.
By the way the famous ballet, Dance of the Hours, is beautifully danced and a treat to the eye and ear.
The DVD sound somewhat favours the singers, and this is not quite fair to Adam Fischer.
All in all, a highly recommendable DVD. One last thing: the shoddy presentation by IMAGE is
deplorable. We are given one sheet of chapter headings in italian, no translation, no mention of who sings. For the price, we pay this DVD is treated like third rate Hollywood movie. For this I deduct a star.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Ponchielli - La Gioconda / Fischer, Marton, Domingo, Wiener Staatsoper (1986)
Recorded live at the Vienna State Opera, Placido Domingo and EvaMarton star in a sumptuous recording of Ponchielli's famed four-act melodrama, a storyof tyranny and intrigue set in semi-historical and ever-romantic Venice. The action isprojected by strong characters whose fundamentally sound instincts become distorted byraw passion. The performance draws upon both human and technical resources includinga large ballet and varies in mood from the happy carnival to scenes of the darkest gloomand horror.
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