Donizetti La Favorite
One of the composer's most beguiling scores, La Favorite is Gaetano Donizetti's La favorita in it's original French form; a tale of love and war that represents a glorious mix of Italian bel canto and 19th c. grand opera. Vincent Boussard's arresting Toulouse production does full justice to this newly renewed masterpiece. Three international principals take on the work's demanding roles: Chinese tenor Yijie Shi is a 'revelation' as Fernand, the rich-toned, authoritative French baritone Ludovic Tezier as King Alphonse XI and lauded American mezzo Kate Aldrich - 'the Carmen of this generation' - plumbing the emotional depths of Leonor's music. Conductor and bel canto specialist Antonello Allemandi adds to the passionate proceedings onstage. Maestro Allemandi demonstrated full authority over the stage for the musically complex scenes, and in the arias and duets demonstrated his confidence in the singers by establishing ample tempos to support their soaring vocal lines.
Insights
Plot Summary
Set in 15th-century Castile, "La Favorite" tells the tragic story of Léonor de Guzman, the mistress of King Alfonso XI. Torn between her love for the king and her feelings for the knight Fernand, she navigates a treacherous court filled with political intrigue and personal betrayal. Fernand, unaware of Léonor's true position, falls deeply in love with her, leading to a series of dramatic events that culminate in heartbreak and ruin for all involved.
Critical Reception
This 2015 production of Donizetti's "La Favorite" received generally positive reviews, with particular praise for Angela Gheorghiu's powerful vocal performance and dramatic interpretation. Critics noted the opera's challenging score and the production's effective staging in conveying the emotional depth of the story. While some found the plot complex, the overall reception highlighted the musical richness and the compelling performances.
What Reviewers Say
- Angela Gheorghiu delivers a vocally stunning and dramatically compelling performance as Léonor.
- The production successfully captures the emotional intensity and musical grandeur of Donizetti's score.
- A significant revival of a less frequently performed bel canto masterpiece.
Google audience: Audience reactions for this specific production are not widely aggregated on Google. However, for "La Favorite" as an opera, audiences generally appreciate its beautiful melodies and dramatic flair, though some find the plot intricate.
Fun Fact
Gaetano Donizetti's "La Favorite" was originally written in French and premiered in Paris in 1840, but its Italian version, premiered shortly after, became more widely performed and is the version most frequently encountered today.
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