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Macbeth
Given the vocal and dramatic demands of Verdi's Macbeth, vocal beauty can sometimes feel— to paraphrase Anna Russell—like "a total waste of time." Yet in this performance, Mario Sereni and Olivia Stapp manage to deliver all the necessary malevolence and vocal firepower without compromising the intrinsic appeal of their voices. This added vocal sheen lends an unexpected layer of humanity to two otherwise ruthless characters.
Olivia Stapp is in particularly fine form as Lady Macbeth, displaying pinpoint coloratura, commanding dramatic presence, and crowning her sleepwalking scene with a spine-tingling high D-flat. It's a performance that begs the question why her career didn't gain broader recognition. Mario Sereni brings tortured nobility to the title role, his baritone shaped with elegance even in moments of brutal intensity.
The performance is conducted with skill and precision by Oliviero De Fabritiis, who balances tension and lyricism with seasoned expertise.
Track List
Act I
1. Preludio
2. Che faceste? dite su!
3. Giorno non vidi mai si fiero e bello!
4. Due vaggelli compiu' or sono
5. S'allontanarono!
6. Nel dì della vittoria... Vieni t'affretta!
7. Or tutti sorgete, ministri infernali
8. Oh donna mia!
9. Fatal mia donna! un murmure
10. Di destarlo per tempo il Re m'impose
11. Schiudi, inferno, la bocca ed inghiotti
2. Che faceste? dite su!
3. Giorno non vidi mai si fiero e bello!
4. Due vaggelli compiu' or sono
5. S'allontanarono!
6. Nel dì della vittoria... Vieni t'affretta!
7. Or tutti sorgete, ministri infernali
8. Oh donna mia!
9. Fatal mia donna! un murmure
10. Di destarlo per tempo il Re m'impose
11. Schiudi, inferno, la bocca ed inghiotti
Act II
12. Perché mi sfuggi
13. La luce langue
14. Chi v'impose unirvi a noi?
15. Studia il passo... Come dal ciel precipita
16. Salve, o Re!
17. Si colmi il calice
18. Sangue a me quell'ombra chiede
13. La luce langue
14. Chi v'impose unirvi a noi?
15. Studia il passo... Come dal ciel precipita
16. Salve, o Re!
17. Si colmi il calice
18. Sangue a me quell'ombra chiede
Act III
19. Tre volte miagola la gatta in fregola
20. Che fate voi, misteriose donne?
21. Fuggi, regal fantasima, che Banco a me rammenta!
22. Ove son io?... Svanito
20. Che fate voi, misteriose donne?
21. Fuggi, regal fantasima, che Banco a me rammenta!
22. Ove son io?... Svanito
Act IV
23. Patria oppressa!
24. O figli, o figli miei!... Ah, la paterna mano
25. La patria tradita
26. Vegliammo invan due notti
27. Una macchia è qui tuttora...
28. Perfidi!... Pietà, rispetto, amore,
29. Ella è morta!
30. Macbeth, Macbeth ov'è?
24. O figli, o figli miei!... Ah, la paterna mano
25. La patria tradita
26. Vegliammo invan due notti
27. Una macchia è qui tuttora...
28. Perfidi!... Pietà, rispetto, amore,
29. Ella è morta!
30. Macbeth, Macbeth ov'è?
Customer Reviews
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4.0
Based on 1 review
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Sereni and Stapp Are Terrific!
Olivua Stapp sang with the NYCO and the Met (including this role), but was considered a second stringer and reliable house singer. I don't know why: everything I've heard her in is terrific. One would never guess she began as a mezzo from her confident top notes here. She interpolates a strong D-flat at the end of Act One and sings another at the end of the Sleepwalking Scene (someone in the audience begins to applaud too soon and is shushed; the tapist mutters "Cretini!") She nails all the coloratura and is no slouch dramatically either. I share Andy's amazement that her career didn't gather more traction.Sereni sings beautifully and doesn't neglect his character. He didn't do this role very often; it probably would have been too big for him at the major houses. He and Stapp make a great pair. Ferrin and Garaventa perform extremely well. We'd be happy to have them today. De Fabritiis is a fine conductor of Verdi and he shows why here.The beginning of the overture is missing and the sound is obviously from an in-house tape, but it's certainly listenable, some wow and flutter towards the end of Act Three aside. I'm thankful to the tapist, sound flaws and all. Stapp had hardly any recording career and it's good to have such a souvenir of a fine singing actress. Here's hoping Opera Depot releases more of her recordings!
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