Cecilia Bartoli - Mozart Arias DVD

Cecila Bartoli sings Mozart is alternatively titled Duo on screen, though not on the packaging, and indeed this concert is very much an affair of two halves, giving virtually equal screen time to Bartoli with five Mozart opera arias and Nikolaus Harnoncourt conducting Mozart's Symphony No.38 "Prague". One of two concerts given by these artists at the Stefaniensaal at the 2001 Styriarte Festival, Graz, Austria--the second was a Haydn programme--they certainly find a highly appreciative audience. Bartoli begins with a wonderfully enthusiastic and energetic version of... the comic Vol avente un cor fedele, a melodic gem penned when Mozart was 19. Complementing this is the lyrical yet teasing "Uno moto di gioia mi sento", an alternative aria composed for The Marriage of Figaro. Bartoli's final aria is also her most extravagant showcase, the exceptionally difficult Bella mia fiamma , addio here met with spine-tingling intensity and remarkable vocal dexterity. Against this thrilling music-making the excellent performance of the "Prague" Symphony which follows seems almost routine, making one wish for an all-Bartoli programme. Nevertheless, Harnoncourt elicits fine playing making this another performance to be relished. On the DVD: Cecila Bartoli sings Mozart is presented anamorphically enhanced for widescreen TVs at 1.77:1. The picture quality is flawless. Sound options are stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTs 5.1, each progressively better than the last. The DTS track is exceptionally well focused and filled with rich detail. Extras are a 12-minute making-of feature and a 16-minute segment which contrasts interesting rehearsal footage with Hanoncourt and a very giggly Bartoli discussing the music. Also included is a three-minute preview of the Haydn concert. --Gary S Dalkin [show more]

Read More