Search - Filippo Marchetti, Daniel Lipton, Mario Malagnini :: Marchetti - Ruy Blas / Mario Malagnini · Alberto Gazale · Dimitra Theodossiou · Sylvia Marini · Daniel Lipton

A surprising find!

George S. Brown | Boca Raton, FL, USA | 10/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Although Marchetti's style is essentially derivative (c.f. Verdi), he is able to generate genuine dramatic tension; his melodies do seem to arise from the text and situation. Ruy Blas has at least the dramatic and musical interest of Giordano or Ciléa (but not the instantly memorable meoldies). Marchetti seems too anxious to move to the climax in any sequence, but his structural grasp is unique and elegant. Verdi's inevitability is not that distant.Unlike several other recent Bongiovanni releases, the Ruy Blas has quite good sound and genuine, first quality singing by all the principals, even if the chorus (particularly the tenors) is rather strained.Strongly recommended to lovers of Italian opera."

An impressive opera....in Verdi's shadow

B. Cathey | Wendell, NC United States | 09/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Filippo Marchetti's RUY BLAS was premiered in the late 1860s, in the shadow of Giuseppe Verdi...and yet,through this work (and his earlier opera ROMEO E GIULIETTA) Marchetti was able to establish a solid artistic reputation...and RUY BLAS would continue to be performed on a regular basis for another 50 years. The present performance is on a high professional level and has some very fine vocalism from Dimitra Theodossiou and tenor Mario Malagnini, in particular. Theodossiou's rendering of the scena/aria "Larva dorata" is memorable, and the famous duet culminating in the familiar "O dolce volutta" (a favorite of Italian organ grinders!!) is excellent...Malagnini's agile voice has no problem in the music...at times he sounds like a young Carrerras, fresh and lyrical. RUY BLAS is worthy of revival. Frankly, I've enjoyed listening to this recording repeatedly. Good notes, bilingual Italian-English libretto. Recommended."