Search - Gaetano Donizetti, Roberto Alagna, Mariella Devia :: Donizetti - L'elisir d'amore / Alagna, Devia, Spagnoli, Praticò, Provisionato, Viotti

Finest digital L' Elisir d' Amore

J. Luis Juarez Echenique | Mexico City | 05/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since this recording was made before Roberto Alagna became a big star, few people bought it, and it is a shame, because it's probably, nay, certainly, the finest digital version of this delightful opera. Alagna is a fresh, winning Nemorino, and you can hear his voice at it's absolute best here. Compared with the DECCA remake, good as it is, this is even better. Here you have a more spontaneous, more genuine and more endearing chap. Mariella Devia, one of the few truly great sopranos of our day, is sensational as Adina, no other Italian soprano since Renata Scotto is as distinctive and interesting as Devia. This is a voice that you will never forget, and she readily understands the real Donizetti style. Mrs. Alagna in the DECCA recording, is nowhere as good. The Belcore and the Dulcamara are splendid, the conducting spirited, but it's Alagna and Devia who make this recording very important indeed."

A great modern Elisir!

Armindo | Greece | 01/31/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Devia and Alagna are superb on this recording!



Devia's technical virtuosity amazes me every time I listen to another recording of hers! This is an artist who has complete control of her breath and voice. She can blast the most exciting high note or diminish it and maintain the colour and especially firmness of the sound, which is such a rarity among bel canto sopranos of any generation! Scotto had a similar sound but her voice spread unattractively at forte, plus it was never as plush and round as Devia's. Adina is a role Devia still sings on stage and on this recording she's heard in her prime, giving us one of the best accounts of the role in studio. Interestingly, she's one of the few who made me realise that Adina is not a schoolgirl but a young lady. It's also a great treat that the reconstructed version of Adina's aria is sung here. The melody is less pure but more spectacular and suits Devia perfectly!



Alagna was a pleasant surprise. Caught here in his absolute prime, his voice has a Pavarotti-like squillo (ring) and Carreras-like warmth, which is wonderful indeed. He also phrases magnificently and his characterful Nemorino is most convincing. The other male singers let me down unfortunately. Both Spagnoli and Pratico are, and sound too young to be Belcore and Dulcamara respectively. They sing very well but I really prefer heavier low voices in these roles. Maestro Viotti conducts a bit slowly for my taste at times but since he is following the critical version of the score, I guess he knows what he's doing.



There's an abundance of good Elisir recordings on the market. I still prefer two of my live ones (the Bergonzi/Scotto and Pavarotti/Grist) for their spark but I will often listen to this set for Devia and Alagna."