La finta giardiniera
- Episode aired Jan 7, 2007
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
7
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Not quite on par with the 1988 Drottningholm performance, but refreshing and entertaining
For those who prefer their opera productions to be traditional, look no further than the 1988 Drottningholm performance, traditional and authentic but with never a dull moment and some of the best Mozartian singers of that particular time. Anybody looking for fun and entertainment, look no further than this, which is one of the best of the Mozart 22 series.
Instead of having production values and staging that look weird and detract from the opera's drama like Ascanio in Alba and Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail, benefited by a concept that fits perfectly with the fun and vitality of the music La Finta Giardiniera is brightly coloured and creative. The staging is always crisply paced and a riot to watch, but rarely does it resort to silliness or stodginess. Only the sexual assault in Podesta's aria was out of place and not needed. The plants coming alive, giant flowers dancing and the Venus Fly trap play a part in the action and as silly as it sounds is actually quite fun. The costumes are good, Serpetta's especially was very fitting for her character. The DVD also looks great, with clear picture and sound quality and unobtrusive camera work.
Musically, it is good but not entirely exceptional. La Finta Giardinera is not one of Mozart's very best operas, I love the breeziness and vitality of Mozart's ever beautiful music but the libretto is on the absurd side. The orchestral playing could have done with more colour and pizazz, but otherwise play skillfully and musically with technical adeptness. Ivor Bolton's conducting is occasionally on the flat side compared to his conducting for Entfuhrung and Zaide, but does show good leadership(two productions that I didn't care for, though Zaide was actually a little better on re-watch).
The singing is superb. Alexandra Reinprecht does have moments of forced colouratura, but her Violante is a charmer and she is wonderful in her final duet with John Mark Ainsley. Ainsley is on top form vocally as Belfiore and I loved that he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely, which is always a great thing when watching opera. Ruxandra Donose conveys Ramiro's fragility and long-suffering splendidly, and sings with a sumptuous mezzo. Veronique Gens has a wonderful fruity in timbre voice and has a great sense of comic timing, while John-Graham Hall with a Basil Fawlty aura about his performance is hilarious as the Podesta Don Anchise. Best of all is the sassy and delightfully wicked Serpetta of Adriana Kucerova.
All in all, a spirited and creative production and one of the gems of a hit-and-miss series. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Instead of having production values and staging that look weird and detract from the opera's drama like Ascanio in Alba and Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail, benefited by a concept that fits perfectly with the fun and vitality of the music La Finta Giardiniera is brightly coloured and creative. The staging is always crisply paced and a riot to watch, but rarely does it resort to silliness or stodginess. Only the sexual assault in Podesta's aria was out of place and not needed. The plants coming alive, giant flowers dancing and the Venus Fly trap play a part in the action and as silly as it sounds is actually quite fun. The costumes are good, Serpetta's especially was very fitting for her character. The DVD also looks great, with clear picture and sound quality and unobtrusive camera work.
Musically, it is good but not entirely exceptional. La Finta Giardinera is not one of Mozart's very best operas, I love the breeziness and vitality of Mozart's ever beautiful music but the libretto is on the absurd side. The orchestral playing could have done with more colour and pizazz, but otherwise play skillfully and musically with technical adeptness. Ivor Bolton's conducting is occasionally on the flat side compared to his conducting for Entfuhrung and Zaide, but does show good leadership(two productions that I didn't care for, though Zaide was actually a little better on re-watch).
The singing is superb. Alexandra Reinprecht does have moments of forced colouratura, but her Violante is a charmer and she is wonderful in her final duet with John Mark Ainsley. Ainsley is on top form vocally as Belfiore and I loved that he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely, which is always a great thing when watching opera. Ruxandra Donose conveys Ramiro's fragility and long-suffering splendidly, and sings with a sumptuous mezzo. Veronique Gens has a wonderful fruity in timbre voice and has a great sense of comic timing, while John-Graham Hall with a Basil Fawlty aura about his performance is hilarious as the Podesta Don Anchise. Best of all is the sassy and delightfully wicked Serpetta of Adriana Kucerova.
All in all, a spirited and creative production and one of the gems of a hit-and-miss series. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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- TheLittleSongbird
- Aug 28, 2012
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- 16:9 HD
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