Search - �ngel Ódena; Judith Howarth :: Il Segreto di Susanna

Surprisingly Excellent Recording of Charming Work

Jason Husgen | New York, NY | 10/31/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The best-known recording of this rarely recorded work is the hard-to-find Columbia recording with Renata Scotto in the title role, dating back 20+ years. Given this recording lacks name-brand talent, is issued by a tiny label, and is a live recording, I was HIGHLY skeptical. But, I sampled a few tracks, read a glowing review on allmusic.com, and caved in since I'd long wanted to own a recording of the work.



This is a great recording. For a tiny label, the production quality is astounding. It's virtually impossible to tell it's a live recording. The performances (and there are only two singing roles) are near-perfect, even if the performers are relative unknowns.



The work's a trifle -- though an irresistible one. A one-act opera that lasts about 45 minutes. And a breezy 45 minutes at that. A fast-paced comedy that mixes rather convincing neoclassical gestures (the work was written in 1909) with a sprinkling of eclectic stylistic touches. I'll refrain from delving into the plot, which is discussed on numerous other sites by numerous other people. I will say that the plot requires a few crucial dramatic turns from the two performers, and those turns are pulled off effortlessly in this recording.



If you like this work and want a recording, or you're curious about this work, buy this recording. You'll not be disappointed. It's only if this work's not your cup of tea that you should refrain from shelling out for this, or any, recording of it.



If I can be of any use on that question -- whether or not this work's for you -- a few things. It's likely Wolf-Ferrari's best-known work (though it's not necessarily his best). As I mentioned, there's much in the work that's neoclassical in sound. And, generally, it's light -- more operetta than opera. If you like, say, Messager's works of the same period (e.g., the operas/operattas Fortunio and Véronique), you will definitely like this work. If you like Bernstein's Candide, you will like this work. If your tastes are fairly broad, and you like the somewhat tongue-in-check neoclassical ventures of composers like Poulenc, Prokofiev, and Stravinsky, you will like this work. Lastly, this work may be appealing to you if you like Italian opera buffa, generally, and you're looking to expand your horizons -- e.g., if you're big into the Italian comedies of Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti, etc.



If you don't fall into one of these categories, this work may not be for you.

"