Can you imagine Luciano Parvarotti act as a young, handsome peasant? So can't I, and hence I fell in love with the Opéra de Lyon production of Donizetti's light opera the first time I saw it on TV. Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheroghiu are as convincing actors as they are virtuous singers, and also the rest of the cast is absolutely believable in their roles.
Conductor Evelino Pidò takes a welcome break from the well worn belcanto tradition and delivers the musical score in a refreshingly light manner, although the tempi get sometimes recklessly fast.
The DVD comes with a 51-Minute feature that illustrates the emergence of this production and serves equally well as an introduction to the opera itself.
Conductor Evelino Pidò takes a welcome break from the well worn belcanto tradition and delivers the musical score in a refreshingly light manner, although the tempi get sometimes recklessly fast.
The DVD comes with a 51-Minute feature that illustrates the emergence of this production and serves equally well as an introduction to the opera itself.