Linda di Chamounix

Linda Di Chamounix is not one of my favourite Donizetti operas, his best are Lucia Di Lammermoor, L'Elisir D'Amore and Don Pasquale. I even prefer La Fille Du Regiment and La Favorita over Linda Di Chamounix, which I find has a rather dull and static storyline, taking the comedy too seriously and the tragic too lightly, but with really beautiful music. As I believe the only production available of this opera, this production is very, very good indeed. There is the occasional moment where the staging is too busy, but generally it does a fine job with making the story more interesting than it actually is. The costumes are authentically tailored, and the scenery is beautiful in colour and how it is lit. The orchestral playing and chorus singing are stylish and beautifully blended and the conducting shows an understanding for Donizetti's style. The performances are right on the money also. Deon An Der Welt was a promising performer who tragically died while having more to give, and he is on very good form here, more vocally than dramatically in a role that isn't a hugely compelling one in the first place. Cornelia Kallisch brings firmness and agility to the mezzo soprano role of Pierotto. Laszlo Polgar I always loved for his noble voice and here he is very persuasive and always never less than believable. Best of all is Edita Gruberova, the singer who drove me to seeing the production, singing with a commanding presence and spot on colouratura. She also happens to have the best aria of the opera, and holds nothing back performing it. In conclusion, a very good production with Gruberova's performance the finest asset among a vast amount of good ones. 9/10 Bethany Cox