Search - Gioachino Rossini, Wolfgang Sawallish, Ruggero Raimondi :: Rossini: Mosè / Sawallisch, Bayerisches Staatsorchester

This opera, a revision of an earlier one on the same subject, is an inexplicably neglected masterpiece. It is vintage Rossini in its florid bel canto writing as well as its abundance of melodic inspiration, harmonic richness, and orchestral color, including some wonderful wind solos; the unusual number of choruses betrays its origin as a semi-sacred work. Also unusual are the accompanied, dramatic recitatives, which provide seamless continuity. The high quality of the music is marred only by a few strangely frivolous orchestral and choral passages. No doubt to satisfy operatic convention, the librettists added a highly improbable ingredient of conflicted love to the biblical story, but gave Rossini a chance to write some enchantingly beautiful and lyrical arias and ensembles of lamentation. The performance, recorded live at the Munich State Opera, is fabulous; the cast is so spectacular that two great basses, Kurt Moll and Jan-Hendrik Rootering, are wasted on a single aria each. Also outstanding are Ruggero Raimondi as a commanding Moses and Carol Vaness, Doris Soffel, and Francisco Araiza in parts demanding both virtuoso vocalism and profound expressiveness. A must for opera fans. --Edith Eisler