Ermione

At the moment, this production of Ermione is the only one on DVD at the moment. That is a shame, because while Ermione is not one of Rossini's best it really has some really ingenious music especially in the ensembles, so whilst it is not a favourite it does deserve more recognition. This production more than does it justice, there are some bits with Pyrrhus that come across as vague but nothing too drastic. The production values are more modern than the ones of Rossini productions I am more used to, but they still have lushness and a sense of vividity. The staging does at least have elegance and coherency and that's what matters, incomprehensible or static staging would have let things down considerably I think. The orchestral playing is stylish and lyrical, and Andrew Davies' tempos keeps things going very nicely. The performances are excellent though Diana Montague does lack intensity at times in her stage presence despite her superb singing and while Jorge Lopez-Yanez has the stage presence, the looks, the voice and most of the time technique for Rossini, some of the rapid passage-work could have done with more excitement. Bruce Ford however is wonderful, his performance is as vivid and as vocally virile as it was in Mozart's Mitridate, Re Di Ponto. Paul Austin Kelly is attractive and sings wonderfully, his voice and technique are right at home in Rossini and in Bel Canto generally. Anna Caterina Antonacci is the one that is most impressive, she sinks her teeth into the role and takes full command of it and the stage, scary and tragic at the same time. Her singing is agile and has both edge and beauty of tone. In conclusion, stellar in so many ways. 9/10 Bethany Cox