Title: Gaetano Donizetti: "Love Potion"
Original title: Gaetano Donizetti: L'Elisir d'Amore
Release year: 2005
Genre: opera
Director: Otto Schenk
Conductor: Alfred Eschwé
Cast: Rolando Villazón (Nemorino), Anna Netrebko (Adina), Leo Nucci (Belcore), Ildebrando d'Arcangelo (Dulcamara), Inna Los (Giannetta), Orchester & Chor der Wiener Staatsoper
Description:
Rolando Villazón as Nemorino exhibits a real gift for comic acting, manipulating his rubber face into dozens of hilarious poses, flawlessly turning stock comic gestures into laugh-out-loud moments, and even juggling apples with the panache of a circus performer. More important, he uses his lyric tenor to sing the part with impressive subtlety, suggesting Nemorino's desperation while singing of his love for Adina. His big show-stopper, "Una furtiva lagrima," features melting pianissimos and a breathtaking decrescendo in its final phrase. Netrebko's Adina is every bit as good, with deft acting and a lovely lyric soprano.
Issued: United States | Erato / Warner Classics
Duration: 2:11:06