Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore
Netrebko; Villazón
Vienna State Opera Choir & Orch. / Eschwé

Virgin 363 3529

Release date November 2006

For sheer light-hearted fun this Christmas, this opera DVD will be difficult to beat. Recorded live in Vienna in 2005, the strong cast includes Leo Nucci as an amusing yet believable Belcore and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo as the flamboyant alchemist Dulcamara. However, it is the presence of Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon, partners in last year’s Salzburg Traviata, that will attract many buyers. Netrebko made her debut as Adina at San Francisco in 2001, and is obviously completely at home in the role. Villazon spent his formative years in Mexico at an academy for the performing arts, where his studies included acting, contemporary dance and ballet, so acting skills are already in his blood. The role of Nemorino suits him perfectly; there can be few tenors around who can sing and juggle at the same time, as Villazon does here, and the range of facial expressions he can muster as the bewildered and frustrated suitor is remarkable! Needless to say, the standard of singing in this traditional production matches the quality of the acting. I defy anyone to sit through this without a smile!

Anne McAlister