Classics On A Summer's Evening - A Gala Concert From Dresden DVD

Classics on a Summer's Evening is an outdoor concert for an enormous audience which was staged in an architecturally striking public square in Dresden in July 1999. It features the most glamorous young husband and wife currently active on the international operatic scene, soprano Angela Gheorghiu and tenor Roberto Alagna. Along with these fine performances comes Giuseppe Sinopoli--before his untimely death at age 54--who was considered one of Europe's finest opera conductors, and, in the Dresden orchestra and chorus, performers who match his creative energy. The programme... seems to have been selected, quite successfully, with two criteria in mind: mass popularity and opportunities to display technical brilliance. Gheorghiu and Alagna join their voices in love duets from Verdi's Otello and Puccini's Madama Butterfly that will appeal especially to the many fans who have been attracted to them as a couple. But each also sings impressive solos in some of opera's Top 40 numbers, notably the "Flower Song" from Carmen and "Elucevan le stelle" from Tosca for Alagna, and "Un bel di" from Madama Butterfly and "Pace, pace, mio Dio" from La forza del Destino for Gheorghiu. The chorus and orchestra take the spotlight powerfully in showpieces from La Traviata, Il Trovatore, Carmen and Aida, among other selections. The only problem with the show is the self-consciously chic dance numbers to themes from Carmen and Aida. --Joe McLellan, Amazon.com [show more]

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