Nabucco

While it may not be one of Verdi's masterpieces, it is easy to see why Nabucco was his first commercial success. The opera doesn't have the most concise of stories but there is nothing to fault in the music. I was really taken with this 2004 production, ranking the productions of Nabucco available on DVD- with the Maestri/Burchuladze performance being the only misfire they range from solid to great- I put it in the top 3 with the 1985 La Scala and 2002 Met productions. I had no problem with the production visually, the costumes and sets have a great and never garish middle eastern feel to them, and the clear image and sound on the DVD don't undermine the production's look in any way, and the stage direction is always compelling. The orchestra are first rate, the more powerful moments have great dramatic thrust and the touching ones affecting pathos. The chorus are rousing and passionate, Va Pansiero is both hopeful and heart-wrenching. Riccardo Frizza gives a sensitive and authoritative reading as conductor.

Alberto Gazale is superb as Nabucco. His voice is both big and beautiful, the dark roundness of it is really quite striking also, and complimented with a refined technique. You only have to look at him as well to see that he is truly into the role, especially in the literally scorching big Nabucco-Abaigaille duet at times he is intense and others where he is very poignant, never is he less than arresting. His only downside is that because he is one of the more youthful- and handsome- Nabuccos he may be too young for a father figure and may pass more as a brother to Susan Neves' Abaigaille. Neves really excels in this voice killer of a role, she is incredibly forceful on a dramatic front and has a voice that has no difficulty in being heard with ringing high Cs, good dynamic range and she does a commendable job with the runs and ornamentation.

Orlin Anastassov is the best Zaccaria on DVD in my opinion. Looking at and hearing him was like looking at and hearing a young Nicolai Ghiaurov(which is a big compliment). His voice is powerful and incisive, with the tone very appealing and resonant and with a respect for the Italianate style. He is very commanding and confident as an actor, and has every ounce the nobility that Zaccaria should have. Yasuharu Nakajima has a healthily produced and ringing voice, and is one of the better Ismaeles in regard to the acting, impressive considering that the role is hardly a big one. Sabrina Modena's bright vocal agility is pleasing, and I'll say the same for Annamaria Popescu's Fenena. In regard to the latter though, apart from for Fenena's prayer, Popescu's stage presence for me was a little bland.

In conclusion, a fine production and one of the best Nabuccos on DVD. 9/10 Bethany Cox