This live from the Met telecast from October 1996 of Giordano’s infrequently performed verismo gem is an absolute pleasure to watch and listen to and I highly recommend it. Nicholas Joel’s production is extremely elegant while at the same time being simple and uncluttered. Act I, for example, is dominated by an enormous gilt-framed mirror precariously tilted. I assume that it is a metaphor for the imminent downfall of the decadent aristocracy at the party given by the Contessa di Coigny. The costumes designs by Hubert Monloup are terrific. The prerevolutionary costumes in Act I are simply stunning each one individually tailored for the choristers and major performers.
Genre: Music
Stars: Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Guleghina, Juan Pons, Wendy White, Stephanie Blythe, Judith Christin
Crew: Umberto Giordano (Compositors), Nicolas Joël (Director), Luigi Illica (Writer)
Country: United States of America
Language: Italiano
Studio: Decca
Runtime: 122 minutes
Quality: HD
Released: Nov 09, 1996
IMDb: 10
Keywords:opera
