Although somewhat dated with advances in sound technology since 1981 this production is as musically fresh as ever. It is now more than 30 years since I first heard it and I still think it is the best production I have ever heard. Because it is filmed and the singers mime to their own voices there is the occasional lapse in synchronism.
Cardboard sets? These put the emphasis on the music whilst fully adding to the character of the opera.
The singers? The sisters Clorinda and Tisbe are anything but ugly and have remarkably good voices plus really good comic timing and expressions. The prince and Dandini are good solid singers and actors. And the stars? Paolo Montesoro, as the Baron, is not only a superb singer but one of the best comic actors I have ever seen; body language and expressions almost perfect. Frederica von Stade as Angelina sings and looks gorgeous. Whilst she does not have the comic flair of Cecilia Bartoli her singing in Italian is equally good. I marvel at her command of the language. Despite singing with an Italian star cast she is always their equal. Her range is good at the extremes in the accuracy and volume of her notes.
