Bruno de Simone

Verdi: La forza del destino

La Cenerentola - Royal de Wallonie-Liège

The Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège revisits the beloved fairy tale of Cinderella with their new production of La Cenerentola, Gioachino Rossini’s opera buffa.

Gioachino Rossini: L'equivoco Stravagante

In the plot for this production the story is updated to the 1970s. Gamberotto is a vegetable import/export merchant. According to the Dynamic website Ernestina is a seductive businesswoman. However when she first appears she drifts about reading a book entitled ‘Love’. Buralicchio becomes an Elvis rocker. Leave the rest of the plot alone, yes, including the castrati part, and you are indeed in the land of the ridiculous. Suspend disbelief? Essential if the plot is to have any relevance.

Pergolesi: The Brother in Love (La Scala)

Live from La Scala Friday 22 December 1989

Rossini La Cenerentola

This is an excellent version of one of the greatest of all comic operas, featuring superb singing and orchestral playing. And it's not just the two headliners; listen, for example, to the entrance of the stepsisters at the beginning of Act One. Nevertheless, some viewers may find the staging problematic, with singers in clown-like costumes and sets featuring human-sized rodents. Those seeking a more conventional production might want to consider the Houston Grand Opera DVD, also on Decca, with Cecilia Bartoli and Raul Jimenez. Both sets are wonderful, but, for me, Joyce Didonato and Juan Diego Florez are slightly to be preferred. Highly recommended.

Il Turco in Italia - Giacomo Rossini

Opera di Giacomo Rossini a Genova

Il Barbiere di Siviglia