Attila

My favourite production of Attila thus far is the 1991 production with Samuel Ramey and Cheryl Studer. That said, this Attila is very, very good. Attila for me is one of Verdi's better early operas, I have a big soft spot for E Gettata La Mia Sorte, Attila is a very strongly-drawn character(in fact one of the stronger characters of any of any of Verdi's early operas alongside Abaigaille from Nabucco, Lady Macbeth from Macbeth and DeSilva from Ernani) and the story is compelling. The costumes and sets suit the tone of the opera well, the lighting is not too dark and the video directing is excellent. The orchestra play with real panache and Nello Santi's conducting is intelligent and precise. The cast range from good to outstanding, Yvegeni Nesterenko as Attila and Silvano Carrolli as Ezio being outstanding, Maria Chiara's Odabella being excellent and the Forresto of Veriano Luchetti being good(the singing is excellent, the acting is not bland as such but rather rudimentary). In conclusion, very good. 9/10 Bethany Cox