My First Bubble or New Start for Anna
Recently
(exactly yesterday) I listened to Anna Netrebko’s Verdi Album. I was waiting
for it with huge anticipation.
(Photo: Kristian Schuller/Deutsche Grammophon)
Anna is one
of my favourite singers and I always try to keep in touch with all things that
happen to her. So…I guess that’s a good start for my first bubbleJ making a little review.
In general
I have to say (if u don’t know much about Anna) Verdi album is a new page of
her career cause she is now moving to a new more dramatic repertoire as her
voice has changed for recent years.
The whole
album represents extracts from Verdi’s «Macbeth», «Giovanna d'Arco», «I vespri
siciliani», «Don Carlo», «Il Trovatore».
(Photo: Kristian Schuller/Deutsche Grammophon)
The first
five tracks is a portrayal of a cruel and manipulating person Lady Macbeth. «Vieni t'affretta» demonstrates it and in this
particular aria Anna is great. Listening to it you feel Lady’s evil character
and energy. Sometimes I heard some tear but I suppose it’s what Verdi had planned
in his music for this woman. I’ve read in one article that he considered Lady
Macbeth as an evil and ugly person and wanted the similar singer to portray
her. It’s hard to call Anna Netrebko uglyJ but through her singing you understand the
ugly gut of this heroine.
To be
honest I’d not choose Lady Macbeth if I were Anna (oh my dream!). You should have vocal chords made of steel
to sing it! (just my opinion). This way it’s very similar to Donizetti’s opera «Anna
Bolena» which she’s already performed and said that it was the most difficult
part ever! I think Netrebko will make this role unforgettable in her carrier
not because of her singing technique or sth like that but mostly for her acting
ability. I consider that’s why she’s chosen it. Such evil and complicated
characters are always attractive for many opera stars.
I have to
say I haven’t watched the whole opera (but I’m gonna do this) but what I’ve
heard in this album really captivated me cause…it’s Verdi and it’s what he does
in his masterpieces.
(Photo: Kristian Schuller/Deutsche Grammophon)
Another
role Anna is going to perform on the stage very very soon is Eleonora from «Il
Trovatore». I saw this opera when I was probably about 10 or 12 and even then I
loved it very much for its music, interesting plot. It seems to me that many people
underestimate its beauty so…I highly recommend it if you haven’t watched yet!!!
But back to
Anna…this role suits her perfectly! It has power and tenderness which our opera
diva will show in a whole range (I can assure you!). As I could hear it’s very
comfortable for her to sing it and her voice just…flows easily and lightly. And
it was a big pleasure to hear the voice of the amazing tenor Rolando Villazon
with whom Netrebko used to sing a lot. "Miserere ... Quel son, quelle
preci" of Act
IV is absolutely stunning!!!
(Photo: Kristian Schuller/Deutsche Grammophon)
Unfortunately
for me (a little sad), there was no duet with Count di Luna. This
character is very interesting as well as his interaction with Eleonora. Not so
long ago there was a recital of Anna Netrebko and Dmitry Hvorostovsky on the
Red Square in Moscow where they sang the duet from «Il Trovatore». I was
absolutely blown away cause despite the lack of set and decorations I was like
at the real opera performance… I did’t understand any word (bad Italian:(((()
but I felt and saw what the situation was about. Now I’m looking forward to her
debut in this part and hope Anna and Dmitry will sing in «Il Trovatore» in the
nearest future.
(Photo: Kristian Schuller/Deutsche Grammophon)
The role of
Giovanna d'Arco is the new one for Anna. She has just debuted in a concert
version with it in Salzburg. There she told the press that she didn’t see it
staged. I’ve never heard a little tiny piece of this Verdi’s work but I liked
it. It’s full of nature, birds, wind, music is very bright with…of course…some
drama inside. On the CD there are just two arias which are presented in a very
gentle and lyric way by miss Netrebko. You just enjoy how the melody and the
voice mix together.
(Photo: Kristian Schuller/Deutsche Grammophon)
The two
roles Netrebko is still thinking of are Elena («I vespri siciliani») and Elisabeth
(«Don Carlo»). If she asked me I would say «Do Elena!». She interprets it very
well as I can judge from the album. Bolero "Mercè, dilette
amiche" is
just a wonderful melody, very memorizable! And her voice does all the passages
without any difficulties. The character of Elena I should say is very typical
for soprano, a desperate woman fighting for her love. I wouldn’t say that she
totally stands out from the other ones but I’d love to see how Anna can
transform her, make this part unique. I think Anna could make it real!
(Photo: Kristian Schuller/Deutsche Grammophon)
The aria
from «Don Carlo» was sung very touching. But I’m not sure about this opera for Netrebko
cause we hear just one piece, not even two, and it’s not the same thing as a
whole performance. Maybe it’s not so interesting part for her as an actress
which also means a lot to many singers.
Anyway, I
wish Anna good luck with her new repertoire, in my opinion she moves into the right
direction. It suits her well, it’s more interesting for her now. We’re waiting
for DVDs, broadcasts of these operas with Anna!!!
P.S. By the
way, photos for the album are awesome except one on the cover:(.
Dasha,
ReplyDeleteI loved your review. We have been fortunate to see Anna Live in:
I Puritani
La Boheme
Lucia
Don Pasquale (2x)
Traviata
Manon,
Elisr D'Amore
Romeo and Juliet
Anna Bolena and a few recitals.
Your review is excellent! Buy a copy of In the Still of the Night by Anna - You will love it.
Regards, Howard Haimes
Thanks a lot, Howard!!! I've already listened to "In the Still of the Night", I adore it!!!It's a great pleasure!
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