Verdi – Ernani

From March 29th 2012 (Running time 3.44.20 sec)

 

Angela Meade takes center stage in Verdi’s thrilling early gem. Marcello Giordani is her mismatched lover, and all-star Verdians Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Ferruccio Furlanetto round out the cast.

 

“Meade’s voice is plush and penetrating…Her top notes soared over the orchestra…Mr Furlanetto’s strong, dark, textured voice filled Verdi’s lines with burnished sound and arching lyricism.  Hvorostovsky shaped floating phrases with mellifluous, honeyed sound.”
—Anthony Tommasini, The New York Times

“Meade commands the night… For pure singing, she is one vocal thrill after another. Her forte notes are true to the top of the register, her piano notes glisten and her improved lower tones growl with ferocity.”
—Ronald Blum, Associated Press

Four extraordinary singers take center stage in Verdi’s thrilling early gem, Ernani, the latest offering from the Met Opera in HD coming to NZ cinemas for a limited time from 29 March – 9 April.

American soprano Angela Meade, whose victory in the Met’s National Council Auditions was chronicled in the 2008 documentary film The Audition, takes the lead role of the noblewoman Elvira. She is joined by Marcello Giordani, star of Live in HD transmissions Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly and Turandot, who sings the title role of the noble bandit who loves Elvira.

Dmitri Hvorostovsky adds a new role to his distinguished repertory as Don Carlo, a royal suitor for Elvira’s hand, and Ferruccio Furlanetto is da Silva, a wealthy relative with his own designs on Elvira.

Conducting Verdi’s thrilling drama of passion, power and honour is Marco Armiliato, who led the Met premiere performances of Anna Bolena earlier this season. The lavish production has been designed by Pier Luigi Samaritani and Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato will host the transmission.

Session Times