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(More customer reviews)When I first read that there was a Cenerentola in the pipeline with JDF and DiDonato I began anticipating its release. Subsequently there were some clips on YouTube which were disturbing--not the singing but the staging. When it arrived I played it immediately to see how it would compare with the Glyndebourne DVD. Well, my anticipation of the two leads was validated. In short they are superb both vocally, dramatically and physically. As good as the leads in the Glyndebourne are (Ruxandra Donose and Maxim Mirinov) and they are very good-- but better is clearly the enemy of the good.
There are two areas of criticism, however, that must be aired. The Liceu production is a joint effort of four (!) houses. Alas it is evocative of nothing in particular. Utilitarian, but nothing more. The production at Glyndebourne is traditional yet the production is directed by Peter Hall and it shows. The Liceu production aimed at a cartoon effect. They succeeded. A pity. I wonder how long this production will last. I can't imagine that it will have "legs". The costumes are exaggerated and "day-glo" colors are used throughout. Hall aimed at a much more realistic concept. Rossini wanted nothing "magical" and that is what Hall delivers. But Rossini delivered a different kind of magic: the music. Jurowski and the London Philharmonic deliver a wonderful performance, elegant spirited and glowing. While the Liceu pit band may not be the equivalent of the London Phil are a very good house orchestra and play very well for Summers--who has conducted this production in Texas.
In the Liceu production the remainder of the roles are cast from regular singers in the house. The Glyndebourne production is cast from strength and delivers better singers. This was a festival production and it shows. The Liceu singers are always adequate and sometime more, but in the end they have to yield to the English production, notably the Don Magnifico, sung by Luciano di Pasquale whose scrofulous appearance is matched by a wonderfully Italian buffo bass. When on stage he clearly dominates by virtue of physique and voice. His counterpart at the Liceu is both leaner of figure and voice.
But in the end we have to return to Juan Diego and DiDonato. They are charismatic stylish singers who never fail to deliver. Indeed the auditor is treated to some of the best Rossini singing in years. When they are on stage there is a frisson that is unmatched. Clearly theirs is a five star performance. It also has to noted that the Glndebourne performace is on Opus Arte and is very pricey although Amazon sellers probably offer a more attractive price.
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Tenor superstar Juan Diego Flórez adds the role of Prince Ramiro in Rossini's sparkling comedy La Cenerentola to his rapidly growing catalog of performances on Decca DVD. In Joan Font's strikingly colorful, toy-town staging, he is joined by one of today's great Cinderellas, the American mezzo-soprano, Joyce DiDonato. The two have wowed audiences with their virtuoso performances in the Metropolitan Opera's Il Barbiere di Siviglia which was broadcast live in HD to movie theaters and on PBS.
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