Genre:

Opera

Release Date:

May 2016

Subtitles:

EN/FR/DE/JP/KO

Sound format:

2.0LPCM + 5.1(5.0) DTS

Catalog Number:

OABD7197D

Verdi: I Due Foscari (The Royal Opera)

Plácido Domingo (Francesco Foscari); Francesco Meli (Jacopo Foscari ); Maria Agresta (Lucrezia Contarini ); Maurizio Muraro (Jacopo Loredano); Samuel Sakker (Barbarigo); Rachel Kelly (Pisana);

Plácido Domingo takes on the role of the tragic Francesco Foscari, Doge of Venice, in Verdi’s potent and dramatic opera of family loyalties and political intrigue. Thaddeus Strassberger’s powerful setting explores the corruption lurking beneath the opulent display of the Venetian court, with spectacular sets and stunning Renaissance-style costumes designed by Kevin Knight and Mattie Ullrich. Tenor Francesco Meli sings Francesco Foscari’s son Jacopo, unjustly accused of treason and forced to appeal to his father’s mercy, with soprano Maria Agresta as Jacopo’s courageous wife Lucrezia, determined to free him at any cost. Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera, conducts one of Verdi’s most striking early scores.

Reviews

"Domingo ... is, unquestionably, rather fine in it. There’s strong conducting from Antonio Pappano, and the dark-hued score, all sombre brass and low strings, is excitingly played." (The Guardian)

"Antonio Pappano’s handling of the score is wonderfully sympathetic." (The Evening Standard)

"Domingo’s portrayal is masterly." (The Daily Express)

"This score deserves to be taken out of the connoisseurs' drawers, at least when it is charged up by Antonio Pappano, who captures Verdi's purple-blue tinta with more than a few frissons and adroitly highlights some startlingly chamber music-like orchestration." (Gramophone)