Search - Gaetano Donizetti, Gabriele Ferro, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra :: Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore

An enchanting and mesmerizing Adina.

OperaOnline.us | Boston, MA | 07/31/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a 2005 2-CD re-release of a 1987 recording of Donizetti's Elixir of Love, featuring Barbara Bonney singing the role of Adina and Gösta Winbergh, singing her suitor, Nemorino. This is a wonderful release with outstanding performances from a strong cast that is singing easily within its range, meaning it doesn't sound pushed or forced. The cast is accompanied by the Orchestra e Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Gabriele Ferro, conducting. The orchestra is sensitive to the strengths of each singer and the requirements of the score and never overwhelms. This good balance is probably due as much to solid sound mixing as anything else, and marks this CD as a quality recording that was put together with some thought. There may be other versions of The Elixir available, but this one is really worth listening to and owning because Ms. Bonney's remarkable voice is so light and delicate and delightful to listen that it borders on hypnotic. The accompanying booklet provides little additional information about the original recording or historical setting of the opera, but does include a title listing, along with a descriptive paragraph with each song."