Verdi - Attila / Ramey, Studer, Zancanaro, Kaludov, Gavazzi, Muti, La Scala Opera

Rating:
Summary: RAMEY IN HIS SIGNATURE ROLE
Review: Let's be honest, 'Attila' is not out of Verdi's top drawer. It was one of the products of his 'galley years' before he broke through into a new language and a new form with 'Rigoletto' four years later. But it certainly has its moments, and when a basso the caliber of Samuel Ramey sings the title part, it's worth seeing and hearing. This performance is from the vaults of Italian television (RAI) and newly released, although there apparently has been an earlier release of this or a similar performance on another label. Virtually the same cast is in the CD set recorded at about the same time as this video of the 1991 La Scala production; the only principal that was different was Neil Shicoff as Foresto, sung here by a tenor unknown to me, Kaludi Kaludov. The stars of this production--which has only one named female role--are the two enemies, Attila and Ezio, a Roman general. And both roles here are taken by first-rate singers: Ramey, and Giorgio Zancanaro as Ezio. And each turns in a really fine performance. Ramey, of course, was known for this role, one he performed all over the world. With his trim figure, commanding stage presence (including a hunky bared chest--shades of Yul Brynner!--in Acts I & II) and huge bass voice, he made the role his own. We are fortunate to have this record of it.

The other two roles of importance--Odabella and Foresto--are not quite so fortunate. Cheryl Studer was not in particularly good voice for this performance. Her top was in fine condition, but once she got into her middle voice and particularly into her chest voice, she tended to fade out, and not because the orchestra covered her; the volume simply wasn't there. One could imagine that perhaps she was portraying the role as a 'gentlewoman' but indeed the role of Odabella is that of a warrior and gentleness has little place here. Her lover, Foresto, is taken by Kudalov who has a moderately attractive middle-sized voice that he handles rather woodenly, which fits his acting. But the singing of both Ramey and Zancanaro is thrilling throughout.

The staging is rather unimaginative, although the sets and costumes are really fairly impressive. Musically, of course, this IS Verdi, but before he got much beyond simple I-IV-V-I sequences. The most memorable melodies are those of Ezio's Act II 'Dagl'immortali vertici,' sung fabulously by Zancanaro, and Attila's Act I cavatina, 'Mentre gonfiarsi l'anima' and its following cabaletta. Much of the music otherwise is rather faceless. Thank goodness, at least there is no stage band as so often in Verdi's early operas!

The main reason to get this DVD is to see and preserve the most famous role of one of America's finest recent gifts to the world opera scene: Samuel Ramey as 'Attila.' It's worth it for that alone. He is spectacular.

TT=118mins

Scott Morrison