I due Foscari

I Due Foscari is a rather unknown Verdi opera, and that's a shame. The story is gloomy and doesn't have that much happening, but the music is superb. Plus I really identify with the Doge Francessco. This was a very competent performance, I do consider the 1988 La Scala production with Renato Bruson the superior one, but I still liked this one a lot. I also recommend the audio CD with Cappuccilli, Ricciarelli and Carreras.

Starting with the performances, there is one person who I do much prefer over the La Scala counterpart and that is Vincenzo La Scola's Jacopo. The singing is beautiful and ringing, but the biggest surprise was his acting. I found him stolid in Simon Boccanegra and Giovanna D'Arco, but thought he was very involved here, far outshining the beautifully-sung but dull Alberto Cupido. Alexandrina Pendatchanska may start off a little forced vocally at the top, but it soon eases and she is very compelling to watch as a character that is not always easy to gain sympathy for. Leo Nucci is simply magnificent in the title role, as much as I liked his Figaro, Renato and Rigoletto, he gives a very moving and dignified performance here and sings wonderfully with no blustering or pushing in sight.

As for the actual production itself, the costumes and sets are quite good, not mind-blowing but good enough considering the opera. The picture quality and sound are superb, and the video directing is very interesting. The one weak point is the stage direction, which is a little on the dull side. The principals really pull the stops to make the drama engaging, especially Nucci in the final scene, but the chorus are directed in such a way(reading very much of two lines and the Council of Ten positioned halfway up the backstage wall) that they don't have much of a chance to interact with the lead performers and they come across as stolid.

The musical direction I also can't fault much. The chorus are well balanced and musical, the orchestra are powerful and show a lot of beauty and musicianship and Nello Santi is once again idiomatic. The chorus and orchestra do get out of time just the once, other than that, everything's fine. Overall, apart from the stage direction, this is a worthwhile performance especially for Nucci. 8/10 Bethany Cox