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Rossini
La Gazzetta

Lisetta Cinzia Forte
Don Pomponio Bruno Pratico
Filippo Pietro Spagnoli
Alberto Charles Workman Madame La Rose Agata Bienkowska
Doralice Marisa Martins
Monsu Traversen
Simon Orfila
Anselmo Marc Canturri

Orchestra Academy of the
Gran Teatre del Liceu
Intermezzo Choir

Musical Director Maurizio Barbacini
Director, Set & Costume Designer Daria Fo
Lighting Designer Franco Marri

Here is a joyous DVD.

Dario Fo, holder of Nobel Prize for literature, formerly anarchic playwright, now a Rossini specialist and experienced opera producer, was also reponsible for designing the sets and the gorgeous costumes for this romp, which originated at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro.

In a brief but useful talk he says that this Goldoni play about the power of the press and advertising was far before its time, and there is a political undercurrent in the opera but treated as light as a feather. (Fo's Barbieri di Siviglia at Amsterdam needed some getting used to; we enjoyed it far more at second viewing.)

The cast is excellent; the leading women very good, the three male principals superb. Inventive all the way and a riot of colour and fun. Filmed well and the close-ups are all to the good, DVD allowing you detail that would be lost in the opera house.

The orchestra under Maurizio Barbarini is in sparkling form. We look forward to seeing it again soon and sharing it with our friends. Hard to understand why it is so little known within the Rossini canon.

We will hope to produce a more detailed appraisal of the singers, but meanwhile don't hesitate to order La Gazzetta for its imminent release, and earmark it for opera lovers on your Christmas presents list.

 

 



Sound samples, including the (very familiar?) overture, can be heard on Amazon from the Bongiovanni CD (available as an import).

 

 

Lisetta & Filippo; Filippo & Don Pomponio; Alberto [Pictured: Antoni Bofill]

 

© Peter Grahame Woolf