Product: Sigismondo [Blu-ray] (2010)
Rating: 4.0
Marvelous Pesaro performance of rare early work by Rossini
Another very rare Rossini opera getting a full staging and excellent filming by the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, is certainly worth having and exploring. Here the work is "Sigismondo", written and first performed in 1814, and just about never revived as a complete work again. BUT, as was often the case, much of the music was recycled into later operas.First, the opera itself. The libretto is a very unsatisfying story wherein, 15 years prior to the opening of the opera, Prince Sigismondo, believing the false tale of his minister Ladislao that his wife Aldimira was unfaithful, sentenced her to death, and believed that she had, in fact, been executed. But, this being opera, she was rescued and cared for by her Uncle Zenovito, disguising her as Eldira. Over the past 15 years, Sigismondo has lamented her faithlessness and his execution of his wife, and has slipped into madness. Now, Aldimira, with the help of her Uncle, returns and recaptures the heart and love of Sigismondo, for the happy ending.The story is ludicrous and unconvincing, which is why it has lain dormant for almost 200 years, rarely performed at all. But, the music is an excellent set of arias, duets, and ensemble/chorus pieces that are uniformly excellent and flow MUCH better than the story. So enjoy the music, and don't pay too much attention to the plot.The singers are all very good to excellent. But I must single out the lovely Olga Peretyatko as Aldimira for her gorgeous coloratura and emotional singing. She really hits the notes, and the acting just great. (One note- my wife and I both felt that in her looks AND her mannerisms, she reminded us of the young Anna Netrebko- another Russian singer of great acclaim.)The staging is divided into two parts- the first act is in an insane asylum, and the second in Sigismondo's palace. (I noticed that the palace set was almost identical to the asylum set, but the asylum set was all in white. I think there is a subtle message here.) There were ghostly doppelgangers of Aldimira and assorted asylum inmates floating around the set. All quite effective and NOT disruptive of the story or especially the singing.Being unfamiliar with this opera, as most opera fans are, you can play a little game of "Spot that Tune" while watching the show. There are quite a few bits of music (including orchestral background as well as parts of arias) that were re-used in "Barbiere", "Cenerentola", "Elizabetta", and others. And, of course, it contains all the classic Rossini musical touches- crescendoes, double arias, grand duets, moments of stasis before the presto finale, etc. All just musically delightful.On the technical side, the filming and sound of the performance were excellent. There was a 20 minute "Making of" documentary with interesting comments by the conductor, director, and Alberto Zedda, the head of the Rossini Festival. There is no question that Pesaro has really upped its game in this and other recent releases. (I am expecting there performance of "Ciro in Babylonia" this past summer to be released later this year.)