arashi-san's Full Review: Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi / R. Abbado, Kas...
This studio performance of the opera ‘I Capuleti e i Montecchi’ by Vincenzo Bellini, one of the most significant bel canto composers, was recorded in 1997 in Munich. ‘I Capuleti e i Montecchi’, Bellini’s 6th opera, is a variation on the well-known subject of Romeo & Juliet. It should be said, however, that the libretto by Felice Romani is not based on Shakespeare’s tragedy, it rather shares the same sources. Shakespeare’s characters such as Mercutio, Benvolio and Juliet’s nurse are absent from the plot, the reason of the conflict between the Montagues and the Capulets lies in their political disagreements, Romeo is the head of the Montagues clan, and Tybalt is Juliet’s fiancé. Despite those differences, the main story remains as bittersweet and beautiful as ever, even more so as nothing distracts attention from the central story of two star-crossed lovers.
CAST: Romeo, young lord of the Montecchi – Vesselina Kasarova (mezzo-soprano)
Giulietta, daughter of Capellio Capuleti – Eva Mei (soprano)
Capellio, lord of the Capuleti – Umberto Chiummo (bass)
Tebaldo, betrothed to Giulietta – Ramón Vargas (tenor)
Lorenzo, Giulietta’s physician & confidant – Simone Alberghini (bass)
Conductor: Roberto Abbado / Munich Radio Orchestra
Chorus Master: Udo Mehrpohl / Choir of the Bavarian Radio
You know, it’s really hard for me to imagine a more elevating musical rendition of this story than this one. It’s a pure gem. Superb arias and ensembles, moving instrumental solos, and everything filled with almost tear-rending romantic beauty. Not even Gounod’s ‘Roméo et Juliette’ can be more beautiful and emotionally expressive. Bellini’s melodies have this simple grace that is a mark of perfection, and an immense share of inspiration and poetry. It's a true hymn to immortal love.
I doubt that even an average conductor can make Bellini’s masterpiece sound any less melodious but having a thoughtful and appreciative musician like Maestro Roberto Abbado conduct this opera certainly is a bonus. He has a real feel for Bellini’s music, and under his baton it sounds as vivid as ever.
The elegant virtuosity of this opera requires an outstanding team of singers to give the music its due. And fortunately, this recording has been marked with a truly stellar cast.
First of all, Bulgarian-Swiss mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova is indescribably magnificent as Romeo. Frau Kasarova is particularly known for bringing real life and feelings into every character she plays. And this recording sole proves what an exceptional actress she is indeed. It’s almost phenomenal how she pours emotions into her singing. From the cocky cabaletta ‘La tremenda ultrice spada’ to the heart-shattering last duet, we have the full range of them. This Romeo is a flesh and blood young man, ardent, hot-headed, dashing, but with enough authority in his voice to not forget he is the lord of the Montecchi; a trait I didn’t notice in other Romeos. His ‘Uscite! Il voglio’ when in the tomb scene he orders his retainers to leave, call forth an instinctive wish to get out of his sight as soon as possible. And after that, the heartbroken recitative ‘Tu sola, o mia Giulietta’ and the following aria ‘Deh! tu, bell’anima’… be sure you have a box of Kleenex nearby! This all-consuming grief just tears your soul into pieces. I wonder how she doesn’t fall into black depression herself when singing this thing…
With a voice as dramatic as this, one doesn’t need to discuss its technical qualities, but I can’t but mention that it’s a dark and sensual mezzo voice with a peculiar wistful tint that fits perfectly to Romeo’s melancholic side. It has awe-inspiring chest register, ringing top notes many sopranos would kill for and laser-sharp accuracy in coloraturas. And even them the singer manages to turn into dramatically expressive instrument instead of just showing off the agility of her voice like many singers do. And one more thing I find especially fascinating is Frau Kasarova’s uncanny ability to make her voice sound as masculine as needed when singing a male role. To say she’s convincing as a hot-blooded Italian youth would be an understatement. She doesn’t even sound like a youth: I’d guess her Romeo is around 21 at the least.
As Giulietta, Italian lyric-coloratura soprano Eva Mei doesn’t have her soul laid bare as her partner does, but she’s much more expressive here than in ‘La clemenza di Tito’ or ‘Tancredi’. The beauty of her light and lucid voice gives a touching and lyric portrayal of tender Giulietta. They also sound wonderfully together with Frau Kasarova’s Romeo, the blend of their voices creating the effect of two souls becoming one in the shine of pure love (have I already said I can’t imagine a more romantic musical rendition of this story?).
And then, if 2 remarkable singers in leading roles were not enough, we have a jaw-dropping Tebaldo (Tybalt) in Mexican tenor Ramón Vargas. Whoa. I seem to be lacking for words eloquent enough to express my admiration for Sr. Vargas, so I’ll limit myself to a fangirlish “Swoon!” and a delighted squeal at E6. One might say it’s a disadvantage and we’re not supposed to like Tebaldo – he’s Romeo’s worst enemy, after all – but I refuse to pick on anyone who has a voice as gorgeous as this! (And I don’t like lyric tenors as a class, mind you.) Then, who said Tebaldo is such a bad guy? I believe he hates Romeo mainly for being loved by Giulietta, the woman he himself loves, but that’s understandable. Show me a man who at heart wouldn’t want to see his romantic rival dead once and for all. Besides, it is said the quality of a person is determined by his contestants. So to have such a Tebaldo as your rival and yet to win over him can be considered as a compliment to both Romeo as a character and Frau Kasarova as an actress/singer. The Romeo-Tebaldo duets are especially splendid. 'Stolto, a un sol mio grido' from this recording is one of my all-time favorite operatic duets.
The excerpts from this opera (though not from this recording) are available here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qzKUY2rt7s (Romeo’s entrance; Vesselina Kasarova)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPciYNe6dzM (Giulietta’s Act I aria ‘Oh, quante volte’; Natalie Dessay)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psa4Mi83XIk (Act I Romeo-Giulietta duet ‘Si, fuggire! - Ah, crudel, d’onor ragioni’; Vesselina Kasarova & Lucia Aliberti)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9j7DKIcwgA (Romeo’s aria at Giulietta’ tomb, ‘Deh! tu, bell’anima’; Vesselina Kasarova)
There are quite a few good recordings of ‘I Capuleti e i Montecchi’ in the market but if I had to pick one, this would be my instant choice. Besides the brilliant singing and conducting, this 3CD set contains loads of bonuses such as 2 arias ornamented by Gioacchino Rossini, the equally famous bel canto figure, and another version of the finale by the composer Nicolo Vaccai. The booklet provides a full libretto in 4 languages and some reading about the leading singers and the opera itself. Highly recommended.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.