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Donizetti - La Favorite
Donizetti's French masterpiece was in the hands of Italian conductor Antonello Allemandi. This maestro, a bel canto specialist, captured the fire and intensity of the passions from the get-go, making the overture a superbly eloquent transition to a musical world based on beautiful lines and colors that elaborate distress and make it compellingly elegant. Allemandi demonstrated a full authority over the stage for the musically complex scenes, and in the arias and duets he demonstrated his confidence in the artistry of distraught singers by establishing ample tempos to support their soaring vocal lines while he concentrated on pulling every possible nuance from the pit players.
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Plot Summary
Set in 15th-century Castile, 'La Favorite' tells the tragic story of Léonor de Guzman, the mistress of King Alfonso XI, and Fernand, a novice monk who falls in love with her. Fernand is drawn into courtly intrigue and a power struggle between the King and the military order of Santiago, ultimately leading to his downfall as he grapples with forbidden love, betrayal, and the consequences of his choices.
Critical Reception
This 2015 production of Donizetti's 'La Favorite' by Daniele Abbado, featuring Juan Diego Flórez and Marina Rebeka, was generally well-received, particularly for its vocal performances and the conductor Patrick Fournillier's interpretation. Critics often noted the opera's dramatic intensity and the challenges of its vocal demands, which were largely met by the leading singers.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for the exceptional vocal prowess of its lead singers, Juan Diego Flórez and Marina Rebeka.
Applauded for Patrick Fournillier's sensitive and dynamic conducting, bringing out the opera's dramatic power.
Noted the effective staging and visual design that complemented the dramatic narrative.
Google audience: Audience reception information for this specific 2015 production is not widely available through standard aggregators, making it difficult to summarize specific user opinions.
Fun Fact
Gaetano Donizetti composed 'La Favorite' in French, originally titled 'La Favorite', for the Paris Opéra in 1840. It was later translated and adapted into Italian, becoming a staple of the Italian repertoire.
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