Search - Cornelis Opthof, Gaetano Donizetti, Nello Santi :: Donizetti: Maria Stuarda

Donizetti: Maria Stuarda
Cornelis Opthof, Gaetano Donizetti, Nello Santi
Donizetti: Maria Stuarda
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (22) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #2

This opera becomes a battle of the divas in its great second act, with Sutherland, as Mary Stuart, pitted against the jealous, paranoid and vengeful Elizabeth I (Tourangeau). There is an intensely dramatic confrontation in...  more »

     
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Amazon.com essential recording
This opera becomes a battle of the divas in its great second act, with Sutherland, as Mary Stuart, pitted against the jealous, paranoid and vengeful Elizabeth I (Tourangeau). There is an intensely dramatic confrontation in which insults are violently exchanged between the powerful monarch and her imprisoned but still regal rival to the throne. Mary wins the battle of insults, but this is a dangerous victory over one who has the power of life and death. Elizabeth orders Mary's execution and Act III becomes a spectacle of pathos and horror. Sutherland's usual style is more attuned to pathos than to the swapping of insults, but she rises splendidly to the challenges of Act II and she has a splendid supporting cast. --Joe McLellan
 

CD Reviews

PRIME SUTHERLAND IN 'MARIA STUARDA"
06/24/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another wonderful souvenir from the San Francisco Opera, this "Maria Stuarda" took place in November, 197l and it marked a high-water point in Sutherland's career. She had just completed a series of Rossini's "Semiramide" in Chicago, and had already contracted to open the 1972 San Francisco opera season in "Norma" (which has also been recorded and is available). This marked Sutherland's first performances of Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda", and proved to be a wonderful assumption. She is every inch the injured and martyred queen, and she is aided enormously by the Queen Elizabeth of Huguette Tourangeau. The two opposing roles are sung with alternative options in both directions ------ Sutherland takes all of the high options (which take her to D and E flat) while her lower-voiced counterpart goes down to the basement notes with a true contralto color. The huge vocal contrasts between the voices only enhances and heightens the gulf between the two queens. The supporting cast is excellent, and Bonynge shapes an involving and compelling performance. This is 1971 prime Sutherland and it doesn't get better than this."
A SUPERB RECORDING OF AN UNDERAPPRECIATED MASTERPIECE.
10/06/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sutherland is magnificent as the tragic Mary Stuart. I loved the Sills version(not available on cd)and I love this recording as well. A great performance of a classic role."
Beautful Opera
05/11/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sutherland is past her prime here, but still has the great technique to pull off a tour de force. This is probably the easiest of Donizetti's Operas, in terms of coloratura. But Sutherland's voice sounds very tragic here, and her acting is excellent. Look for Sutherland's voice before 1975 if you want to hear the greatest coloratura of this century."