Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Devia, La Scola, Bruson, Colombara, Berti, Ranzani, La Scala Opera

Rating:
Summary: another dark lucia
Review: This DVD, in a series of old La Scala brodcasts, is from the 1992 season. Mariella Devia (Lucia) is in stellar vioce and gives a first rate performance. Hers is not the grand Lucia of Sutherland ('82 Met broadcast), nor the earthy Lucie of Ciofi (02 Lyon broadcast)... rather hers is a more bland, nuetrual Lucia. Thats not to say that her singing is bland, it is pitch perfect and has some unique dramatic shading. Vincenzo La Scola (Edgardo) doesn't erase memories of Bergonzi or Kraus, but he sings with a nice and bright tone even in the higher registers. Renato Bruson (Enrico) is as always a pure pleasure. He makes the most of the nasty villian he is. The rest of the cast is first class also, as one would expect from the "worlds best opera house".
The biggest fault is in the video direction, as with many of these early '90s broadcasts, they are dark and not many close up shots, and recorded in stereo. But that aside this is a very enjoyable DVD, if you are a fan of the belcanto composers, or if you have been waiting for a good and solid UNCUT Lucia then there is no reason not to make this a part of your collection. Enjoy.