Il Trovatore [Blu-ray]

...but I liked the tenor...
This 2010 Parma production was mired in controversy from the get-go. The original soprano and mezzo were booed at the opening night and cancelled the rest of the run. Their replacements are not much better, they are not interesting artists. The twenty-five years old soprano has no control over her top; she is not ready for this demanding role. The mezzo has several issues, the major one being a weak bottom, which is a serious problem in this opera. Baritone Claudio Sgura is a great singer (he sings an impressive Scarpia on the Tosca blu-ray from Venice). His has a big, deep, powerful voice, well projected, idiomatic phrasing and Verdi style: a rare Verdi baritone. Bass Deyan Vatchkov sings a fine Ferrando but his voice is a bit small. Conductor Yuri Temirkanov has no affinity or feeling for this score. At best he is insipid. Based on this Trovatore and on his Traviata from 2007 (in the Tutto Verdi) I would stay away from any Verdi he conducts. The production is minimalistic. The stage...

Il Trovatore - Parma - 2010
This recording of "Il Trovatore" was held in Parma in 2010. The production is minimalistic. The scenario reminds, vaguely, the lunar surface. In the background, in several scenes, there is a huge full moon, sometimes white, sometimes red - the effect is beautiful and suitable for the nocturnal atmosphere of this opera. Few objects in the scene, including a big horse and giant candles. The costume indicates, directly, who is who: soldiers, nuns, gypsies. Regarding the musical aspects: excellent participation of choir and orchestra. The conductor is the seasoned Yuri Temirkanov. He keeps the orchestra under control (though there is one or two moments of disagreement with the singers), with some pleasant surprises. Bulgarian bass Deyan Vatchkov plays Ferrando, using much makeup to look older. Nice timbre, good agility. The young Italian soprano Teresa Romano sings Leonora. Certainly, it is a very complex role for someone who at the time of the recording had only 25 years. There is some...

Fine Trovatore, interesting interpretation
There are two reviews already presented and I tend to agree with the second one. The first one is high handed, in the writer's usual supercilious, hey- listen- to- me style. Coming from a provincial theatre with local singers it is a bit unfair to compare it with the super budget New York Met production with imported singers from all directions of the compass.
Even so, on Verdi's own turf with mostly Italian singers the singing is at least 90% superlative. Conductor Temirkanov is no disappointment either. One word about the sets: these are very original, all sets against a pitch black background to symbolize the 'dark night of the soul', the obsession that is prevalent in all the characters. The giant moon is a brilliant idea since it represents lunacy motivating the characters.Even Conte di Luna. Nomen est omen.

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