Product: Donizetti - La Favorita (1971)
Rating: 5.0
LA FAVORITA...THE ONE AND ONLY
This performance of "La Favorita" is, as far as I know, the ONLYone available on video. I gave it 5 stars, despite some obviousflaws already mentioned by other reviewers, because it is a wonderfulproduction of a much overlooked and underrated Donizetti opera.The video is somewhat grainy, but my copy does not have the waterygreen effect others have mentioned. (Clips of it on You Tubeare decidedly GREEN!) I don't know if I got a better DVD or if thecolor is just better on my machine. I do know this...it doesn'thave those annoying burned-in Japanese subtitles evidentin so many operas VAI has mined from performances in Japan!The audio, while not exceptional, is perfectly acceptable.Loved the story and found it easy to follow...although, why theCatholic monk/prior (Baldassare) would have a son and daughterwas a bit of a mystery.The best part, of course, was the singing, although I didn't findthe acting too shabby either. I think Alfredo Kraus's singingand acting could best be described as "elegant." What a performance;absolute perfection from beginning to end. He sang like a god andmoved with the grace of a dancer. He was the quintessential Fernandoin this production.As for Fiorenza Cossotto, she was a glamorous and thrilling Leonora;she just nailed the role. (Okay, I admit it...I love her.) Yes, shedid break character in Act III after hitting her high note in "Scrittoe in cielo mio dolor!" But, she did get a thunderous 3 minute ovationfrom the audience and, being Fiorenza, she just couldn't resist baskingin the glory! Well, she did try...a little. Personally, I loved the moment,but I've already admitted my bias and I don't expect others to agree.Ruggero Raimondi was a majestic Baldassarre, convincingly agedfor the role as I think he was fairly young in this production.An exceptional performance, beautifully sung and acted.Unfortunately, this was not one of Sesto Bruscantini's bestperformances. As King Alfonso, he was on pretty shaky ground untilhe got his footing toward the middle of the opera. He's apretty impressive baritone, so perhaps he was ailingor just having an off-night.This performance, warts and all, is well worth purchasing and Ihighly recommend it. If you've never seen "La Favorita," this maybe your only opportunity.