I Capuleti E I Montecchi (2CD)

 

Anna Netrebko, Elina Garanca, Joseph Calleja, Robert Gleadow & Tiziano Bracci

Wiener Singakademie & Wiener Symphoniker, Fabio Luisi

 

“The performance is dominated by Elina Garanca's Romeo; she easily suggests both the swaggering duellist and the lovelorn youth. There are times when her rich, velvety tones sound almost like a soprano, and in the duets with Anna Netrebko's Juliet, the two voices seem naturally to complement each other. The tenor who sings Tebaldo needs to be of equal strength to balance the drama, and Joseph Callega rises to the challenge... The duet in Act 2, when Tebaldo and Romeo are about to fight but then learn of Juliet's death, find Garan?a and Calleja striking sparks off each other; despite the beauty of the final tomb-scene duet, I found this confrontation the highlight of the proceedings.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2009

“Garanca is the best reason for cherishing this fine recording. There isn't a lyric mezzo-soprano who can currently hold a candle to the Latvian in this repertoire.” BBC Music Magazine, April 2009 ****