Product: Donizetti - Roberto Devereux / Rudel, Sills, Alexander, New York City Opera (1975)
Rating: 5.0
The Holy Grail Of Opera Lovers
It was 1969 when Beverly Sills first astounded the world in her incredible performance as Queen Elizabeth in Donizetti's "Roberto Devereux". A sold-out audience at the New York City Opera witnessed the one time light opera singer transform herself into England's fiery Queen Elizabeth. Performing Devereux that night was Placido Domingo. In the November 22 1971 issue of Time magazine, she made the cover and the issue featured a full-length article about "America's Queen Of Opera". That was Beverly Sills at the height of her career and the role of Queen Elizabeth was her crowning achievement.She continued to sing the Queen throughout the early 1970's as well as the other Donizetti Tudor Queen operas- Maria Stuarda (Mary Stewart) and Anna Bolena (Anne Boleyn). These performances were made for studio recordings and have been reissued on cd from their original LP's available now at Amazon.com. The recordings are amazing and Beverly's Queen Elizabeth is in much better vocal shape since it was a 1969- 1970 recording. About five years later, Beverly Sills once again took the throne as Queen Elizabeth when she sang Devereaux one last time for the Wolf Trap Festival filmed and live performance that is on DVD and also on video. As is to be expected of any singer past their prime, Beverly does not sing with the dynamic power she first had in '69 or '70. Nevertheless, she took care of her vocal instrument well enough to sing the Queen one last time in '75.She is seen here in full glory- acting and singing in a very blissful combination as true dramatic opera. From the moment she makes her entrance to her court and greets the long suffering Duchess Sara (Susan Marsee in a lovely performance) we get to behold the same powerful drama that the first audiences saw back at the New York City Opera at the start of the 70's. Dramatic tenor John Alexander sings the title role of Roberto Devereux and pulls through well in the role, though he can never live up to the standard of Placido Domingo. The real "meat" of this opera is the intense relationship between Roberto and the Queen. Roberto's heart belongs to Sara whom he never had the chance to marry. Sara is married to Nottingham (baritone Richard Fredericks) a court marriage arranged by the Queen herself. The Queen is clearly in love with Roberto but frustrated that she can never have him. Pure drama and raw emotions abound in most of her showcase arias- Act 1's tender "L'amor suo mi fe beata", "A ritorno qual ti spera" which sparkles with dazzling coloratura and her duets with Devereux "Un tenero core" and the fiery "Un lampo orribile".Act 2 ought to be hailed as opera's greatest single act. Devereux has been trialed in court and is sentenced to death on the Queen's orders. Beverly's chest voice, which she pushes down and sudden screams are used to provide the effect of raging fury as Elizabeth discovers that Devereux does not love her and she has an unamed rival. When Nottingham discovers that it's Sara whom Devereux loves, he has a change of heart and turns on his friend. He now loathes Devereux and favors his execution. The most powerful moment is toward the end of the act. Be strikes a majestic pose, holding the scepter and the royal orb and orders Devereux's execution. "Va La Morte Sul Capo Ti Pende" ensemble ensues with each character expressing their emotions.The final act has the Queen's heart-felt arias "Vivi Ingrato" and "Quel Sangre Versato" in which the Queen laments and mourns for Devereux. The rousing finale is treated with applause and an immediate curtain call follows. Julius Rudel, who has conducted for Beverly's operas before conducts this opera with real passion, pace and elaborate skill, the orchestra playing with superb string articulation. There is no question about it. This is the must have opera for all opera lovers. It's a treasure worth owning. The majesty and tragedy of Roberto Devereux can be yours to watch time and again and the greatest singing-actress of our time Beverly Sills can appear on your DVD with real strength.