Il matrimonio segreto

The live opera performance of Il matrimonio segreto (1986 TV Movie) comes from the Cologne Opera. It was directed by Claus Viller.

The opera was composed by Domenico Cimarosa in 1792. It's a classic example of the opera buffa humorous operas that were admired in the 18th Century.

This was a witty and stylish production. None of the singers was a superstar, but they all sang and acted well. It's a small production--five singers and no chorus, but that works for this opera style. (Actually, bass Carlos Feller was fairly well known in his day. He specialized in opera buffa roles like this one.)

The opera is 2 1/2 hours long, and it's enjoyable for every minute of that time. Il Matrimonio Segreto won't work if you're looking for Verdi or Puccini. If you're looking for great opera buffa, this production is for you.

This film doesn't have enough votes for an IMDb rating. I rated it 9.

How come I never heard of Il Matrimonio Segreto before? What a lovely opera, a witty and charming story and Cimarosa's music sparkles with rich melodic writing, vitality and very romantic sentimentality. This production does justice to this underrated opera perfectly. It is a beautiful and very stylish production visually, in fact it is one of the more beautiful and stylish productions for any comic opera I have encountered. The costumes are sumptuous and the sets equally opulent. The video directing(suitably unobtrusive and wastes no time focusing on the action) and picture quality helps to enhance the production values rather than date them, and the sound is also very good. The orchestral playing is beautifully articulated, and Hilary Griffith's tempos never rush or drag. The comedy really does sparkle like bubbles on top of a champagne glass, and the more moving moments are suitably smooth and gentle. The singing is wonderful, David Kuebler does have moments of stridency but his Paolino is overall handsome and very elegantly phrased and sung. The two sisters are very well contrasted, Barbara Daniels in a performance, as Elisetta, just as wonderful as her Agrippina(Agrippina) and Minnie(La Fanciulla Del West) is appropriately alluring and stuck up, and as the more sympathetic sister Carolina Georgine Ressick is very winning. Carlos Feller is superb as Geronimo in a style of singing that recalls the buffo roles like Bartolo(Il Barbiere Di Siviglia), and Claudio Nicolai is much better than he was in Agrippina with his baritone voice much sturdier and his interpretation more characterful. The singing is never dull and always true to the style of the opera, with the most delicious touch being when the Count dusts off Elisetta's hand with his handkerchief before kissing it at their moment of introduction. All in all, a gem and not to be missed! 10/10 Bethany Cox