Vincenzo BELLINI
I PURITANI
| Elvira |
Edita Gruberova |
| Lord Gualtiero Valton |
Konstantin Gorny |
| Sir Giorgio |
Simón Orfila |
| Lord Arturo Talbo |
José Bros |
| Sir Riccardo Forth |
Carlos Álvarez |
| Sir Bruno Roberton |
Vicenç Esteve Madrid |
| Enrichetta di Francia |
Raquel Pierotti |
Orquestra Simfònica i Cor del Gran Teatre del Liceu,
Friedrich Haider
Director: Andrei Serban
Cat no.: DV-OPIP
Picture Format: 16:9 anamorphic
Sound Format: LPCM stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1
Running Time: 159 mins
Region Code: PAL All
Booklet Languages: GB, F, D
Recording Date: 8 February 2001
The "Queen of Coloratura", Edita Gruberova, is the undisputed star
of this recording of I Puritani from the opera house in Barcelona. Her interpretation
of Bellini's Elvira has certainly become one of her showpieces and her superb
technique, her top notes and exquisite pianissimos and her amazing command of
coloratura make her the focus of this production. The audience rewarded her
with long enthusiastic ovations after her the mad scene in the second act, when
her heart breaking rendering of the elegiac "Qui la voce sua soave"
and the dazzling coloratura in the fast cabaletta undoubtedly sets her name
next to the great Elviras of the 20th century.
TDK captures on DVD Andrei Serban's production of Bellini's gloomy masterpiece.
Originally made for Welsh National Opera, in a co-production with Netherlands
Opera, and premièred in Cardiff in March 1982, it was taken up by the
Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona as part of the Bellini bicentenary celebrations
in 2001. In his staging, Serban maintains an ever-present mood of conflict:
the drama is clearly played out in a closed community, under threat, and the
bare designs - a linear fort, a single coach in the ice - serve to glorify the
voices, the focus of this bel canto work. Michael Yeargan's design emphasizes
the Puritan aesthetic, and a touch of red in Elvira's flowers, amid the prevailing
blacks, browns and whites, makes a striking impression.
This stellar cast from 2001 includes José Bros making his debut in the
role of Lord Arturo Talbo, as well as the formidable talents of Spanish baritone
Carlos Álvarez.
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