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From: Hugo Delava
Date: 20 Jan 2007
Time: 16:48:45 -0500
Remote Name: 84.193.140.155
Dear friends, I've just returned from Venice where I saw two performances of Crociato in Egitto with different casts. Here are some observations: Crociato is a wonderful opera which deserves to be performed on a regular basis. The music is often brilliant, gentle in the arias and small scenes, virile in the larger scenes with the chorus. And it was the chorus that IMO triumphed in Venice, as I had some doubts aboutmost of the singers. The production was typical for Pizzi: traditional and static, with simple sets and a lot of black and white. If you like your stagings in the old-fashioned way, Pizzi is your man. Was it a good idea to cast a male alto as Armando ? Personally, I'd say not. This type of voice lacks virility for a great hero. Also, the lack of volume takes the balance out of the ensembles. Anyway, I prefered Ouatu in the second cast, who was much more engaged and virtuosic than Maniacci, and had altogether the better voice. Laura Polverelli used her experience as a baroque singer in her two bravoura arias, and was without doubt the best singer in the production. Carraro will certainly have a decent carreer - in a different repertory. The same can be said of Portari, the Adriano in the first cast: a beautiful and strong voice, but in constant difficulty in the first part of the opera, as he is unable to sing coloratura, and lacks depth. In his big scene at the end of the opera however, he was impressing, although not always very "Meyerbeerian". Riccardo Bernal in the second cast was much more suited to low notes and the coloratura, but at the end of the opera he was so tired that the large scene became a catastrophy. I must admid that I never liked Ciofi, and probably never will. Cantarero, despite a not always nice sounding voice, is so much more musical and her technique is so much more stable. Aladino was of course no problem for Marco Vinco although he's a baritone rather than a bass. Sacchi was more involved, but lacked style. Villaume conducted well, and assisted the singers as much as he could. I was glad I could attend this event ! Hugo Delava, Belgium