Today we’re bringing back one of Verdi’s most divisive operas. Many fans consider it among his greatest works, while others find it tedious. The plot is not easy to follow, but you will not believe the lush beauty and phrasing Mirella Freni brings to the French-style aria that opens Act 1.
Arrigo Boito restructured and enhanced SIMONE for Verdi in the Council chamber scene and gave it Boitian depth. Like lightning, I saw the Abbado/Capucili/Strehler production with LaScala at the Kennedy Center. Kiri Te Kanawa made her debut as Amelia. The direction by Strehler and the sets by Ezio Frigerio were extraordinary. Abbado's recording is superb and I have never forgotten it. The Met production with no director was a muddling inert run-through at best.
Arrigo Boito restructured and enhanced SIMONE for Verdi in the Council chamber scene and gave it Boitian depth. Like lightning, I saw the Abbado/Capucili/Strehler production with LaScala at the Kennedy Center. Kiri Te Kanawa made her debut as Amelia. The direction by Strehler and the sets by Ezio Frigerio were extraordinary. Abbado's recording is superb and I have never forgotten it. The Met production with no director was a muddling inert run-through at best.
Uplifting