Vivaldi - Orlando furioso / Behr, Horne, Patterson, San Francisco Opera

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Antonio Vivaldi was an important opera composer, with at least 47 operas--and perhaps twice that many--to his credit. But he first became known to modern audiences almost exclusively for his instrumental music. This unbalanced view does not mean that his operatic music is inferior to his concertos. It reflects instead economic conditions (opera costs a lot more to produce than instrumental music) and major changes in the tastes of the opera audience during the 19th century and much of the 20th.

Baroque opera has made a comeback in popular taste in recent decades, and this production of Orlando furioso embodies the genre's distinctive qualities: elaborately ornamented da capo arias, the use of high-pitched voices (originally castrati) in heroic roles, and an intricate plot full of implausible relations, misunderstandings, and deceptions among star-crossed lovers. The primary reason for the recording's existence is the spectacular performance of Marilyn Horne in the role of the medieval knight Orlando, legendary nephew of Charlemagne, including a long and technically dazzling mad scene. But the San Francisco Opera has assembled a stellar cast for the sometimes extraordinary demands of the other roles. Particularly impressive are Susan Patterson as Angelica, whom Orlando loves to the point of madness, and Kathleen Kuhlmann as the wicked witch Alcina, but the whole cast performs without significant weakness. Visually, the production captures the fairy-tale quality of the libretto, and conductor Randall Behr has Vivaldi's style, vocal and instrumental, well in hand. --Joe McLellan

Description

Antonio Vivaldi's opera takes place on the sorceress Alcina's enchanted island. Although old and ugly, Alcina has the magical power to make herself appear beautiful and to bewitch courtiers who set foot in her realm. She has tried to make her power eternal by gaining possession of the invincible guard Arontes under the statue of the wizard in the Temple of Infernal Hecate. Brought to the island by fate, the other main characters of the opera, namely the beautiful Angelica, her young Saracen lover, Medoro, and the jealous Orlando--a Christian knight and Charlemagne's nephew, who is in love with Angelica--are entwined in an intriguing love story of furious passion and despair. This San Francisco Opera production of Orlando Furioso boasts a stellar cast, headed by the American mezzo soprano, Marilyn Horne, whose undisputed mastery of the bel canto school of singing makes her one of today's finest performers. 140 minutes.

Orlando: Marilyn Horne
Angelica: Susan Patterson
Alcina: Kathleen Kuhlmann
Bradamante: Sandra Walker
Ruggiero: Jeffrey Gall
Medoro: William Matteuzzi
Astolfo: Kevin Langan
Orchestra and Chorus of the San Francisco Opera, Randall Behr, conductor
Production by Pier Luigi Pizzi; directed for video by Brian Large

Customer Reviews:

A Treasure Not to Miss!!.......2006-11-06

This DVD is a treasure in my collection of operatic productions. Compact disc recordings are fine, but being able to "look" as well as "listen" is always better, giving one the sense of actually being there in the hall during the performance. Admittedly, Vivaldi opera can be a little less than exciting to many people, but the wonderful production and unusually fine singing should make this DVD a part of every serious opera lover's collection. Marilyn Horne is exceptionally fine in the title role, and her well-known musicality and rich voice are superb; this is exactly what one expects from Horne, and she is never disappointing. However, Miss Horne is equalled--if not surpassed--by the stunning performance by fellow mezzo-soprano Sandra Walker. Miss Walker delivers a masterful vocal technique, impeccable vocal agility, and fine acting ability in her flawless performance. When Miss Walker and counter-tenor Jeffrey Gall are paired together, sheer magic happens on the screen. This production from the San Francisco opera is a gem from top to bottom. The set design is creative, the costumes are gorgeous, the orchestra is outstanding, and the world-renowned singers are thrilling. Witnessing the musicality of Sandra Walker is worth the price of the DVD. I highly recommend this to all serious opera lovers.

Definitely a Baroque Masterpiece.......2003-12-24

Before I saw this work I didn't really care for Baroque opera. But since then I thought this was one of the best operas ever written. If you could compare it with food it would be dark chocolate. Vivaldi had good taste when it came to writing violin concerti but when it came to opera he was AWESOME!!! The other thing I like about this production is the performers. Marilyn Horne's voice is perfect for that sort of role. The other character that I like is Bradamante sung by Sandra Walker. I love her deep alto voice. Its definitely strong and flowing at the same time. I also like the stage set-up. The way that it transforms after each aria is awesome. I would definitely recommend this opera to any Baroque opera lover

Music to die for!.......2001-11-13

I love Vivaldi's music and was really looking forward to my first Vivaldi opera. Orlando Furioso did NOT disappoint!

Let's face the fact that the story is really pure hokum, but then it is opera and who cares? The music absolutely knocked me out and the virtuoso performances by all involved is something you must see to believe.

After a month of sad times after 9/11, I just had to have something to take me away from this world, and this DVD did the trick! If you can watch this one and still be melancholy, I don't know what else to recommend. Buy it, enjoy it again and again as we have!

A stunning performance of a Baroque masterwork.......2000-12-17

This is a beautiful rare performance of one of many often- neglected Baroque masterworks. I found the production lively, faithful to the spirit of the piece. The costumes are stunningly beautiful and the arias are very well sung. Much has been said in praise of Marilyn Horne's performance so I will concentrate on Kathleen Kuhlmann's excellent performance as Alcina. Alcina's arias are among the most inspired in this work of so many inspired, moving arias and Kathleen Kuhlmann never fails to make of each a separate treat. She has great stage presence and is able to convey the idea that Alcina is in fact a very complex character: evil and selfish, yes, but also lonely and in desperate need of affection and therefore very vulnerable. Kuhlmann is also a very attractive woman, which is essential to the role. "Orlando Furioso" is a strong reminder of what many of us have known all along: Baroque opera is a treasure house of extraordinary masterpieces which modern audiences still have to discover, from the great operas of Handel to the works of the very talented Italian composers, Vivaldi being the greatest of them.

It was great to see an opera that is not often presented........2000-11-26

I was not crazy about the opera but I was happy to get a chance to see it. I thought Marilyn Horn was terrific. I enjoyed the set and the costumes.

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