Verdi Rigoletto at the ROH 7.4.12

[Chris Newman]

As Platianas said on In Tune we all tend to associate JEG with Bach and Handel forgetting he ran the Lyons opera for years and has worked on Berg, Puccini, Verdi and Debussy to name a few. His DVD of the Paris Les Troyens is musically on a par with Colin Davis (and visually just as good if you like opera on DVDs. His Der Freischutz at the Proms was blistering.

[underthecountertenor]

I agree with all that, Chris, in particular Les Troyens. I just haven't seen him conduct Verdi opera until now. When I said 'revelatory' I meant in relation to the score rather than to him!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I'm not a fan of "JEGgers Plays Bach", but I find his recordings of Berlioz remarkably successful.

[Barbirollians]

I was a bit apprehensive about JEG conducting Rigoletto I must say but I think he did a fine job.

If you can get a ticket for the 21/4 I would urge anyone to do so.

[David-G]

In the ROH's rather lacklustre season this revival stands out. The production may not be to all tastes but it suits the venality of the Duke of Mantua and his court and I thought the singing, playing and conducting by JEG were all outstanding.

Platanias's deep rich baritone made one feel sympathetic for the eponymous hero for once, Grigolo is ideal casting for the young,handsome but monstrous Duke and sang much better I felt here than in the recent Faust and Lucy Crowe a singer who I rate very highly in classical and baroque repertoire was a revelation as Gilda - wonderfully accurate and secure but such stylish singing. A touchingly innocent Caro Nome and superb in her death scene and stepping in at short notice to sing her first ever Gilda she deserved her thundering ovation

Highly recommended .

Barbirollians, thank you for this recommendation. I checked the Royal Opera web site today, and was delighted to find an Upper Slips ticket for Saturday 21st. I have always been very impressed with Lucy Crowe, but this is I think new territory for her. I am very much looking forward to hearing her in the role, and indeed to the whole performance.

[Chris Newman]

A reminder that the live performance of Rigoletto is being shown in Odeon cinemas tomorrow (Tuesday 17th April). Ekaterina Siurina is the advertised Gilda for this performance. Sales are going well in Salisbury and the screening has been moved into the main cinema auditorium.

[Barbirollians]

The Guardian is suggesting that Crowe may be singing here too - that just may be how the article is written though.

[Prommer]

It was Siurina tonight. I have just got back from a very fine, impressive evening at the ROH, and would be glad to compare notes with those who were also there, or watching in the cinemas of the world... Platanias has a fabulous Verdi baritone, acted well within the constraints of this production - shades of Gobbi but without the bark of his singing or the bite of his acting as yet. Grigolo was predictably extrovert but not straining for effect as much as I had been led to believe. He does do so at the curtain calls which he needs to tone down. Can his mum not tell him? Anyway, his mum would have had to look away seeing what he was doing to Christine Rice on stage as Maddalena. Someone get them a room.

JEG-gers proved again that he can conduct Verdi, rather as a British Muti, and it is rather good. Disciplined, tightly controlled, wonderful detail, and it zips along. He even permitted himself an accelerando in the closing bars of La vendetta...

Before I go on, any other takers?

[Barbirollians]

Glad you enjoyed it - how was Siurina ?

[Chris Newman]

The best sung role of Rigoletto I have ever heard. If Dimitri Platianas sings fierce and angry with such character and beauty of tone I want to hear him in lyrical Verdi. He is fabulous; much sweeter than Gobbi. Siurina was excellent. I agree Grigolo needs to stop milking curtain calls. His passionate acting was in character...reminded me of a more realistic Villazon...let's hope he stays more sensible with the voice.

I cannot praise Jeggers enough. Superb. Only complaint: the singers were dominant in the cinema and I would have liked a little more of that fabulous sheen of the orchestra.