A rather silly production saved by the glorious singing

Zelmira isn't one of Rossini's best operas, but as I've said quite a number of times any Rossini is worth hearing or seeing at least once and Zelmira is no exception to that. Any Rossini also deserves a production that shows some kind of respect to it. And apart from musically this production I don't think is one of those. As I usually do reviewing opera I'll start with the good things and it is enough actually to save it. The orchestral playing is very stylish and not only show a beautiful sound but gives the music its depth. Likewise with the chorus singing, while Roberto Abbado's conducting is understanding of Rossini's style and his singing. Juan Diego Florez has much personality and sings with his usual effortless ease. Kate Aldrich's voice is beautiful from top to bottom, especially in her truly dazzling colouratura, and is very emotionally involved in what there is of the drama. Marianna Pizzolata is similarly splendid and blends beautifully in the sublime Perche Mi Guardi E Piangi. Gregory Kunde has an even meatier role than Florez and clearly relishes it, his tenor voice has a very striking quality of a baritone. There are a lot of debits however. Alex Esposito did little for me in the father-figure role, he is rather stolid and his voice has little presence. But it's the staging really that really undermines the production. The sets and costumes are rather drab and unappealing. In terms of sets though, there does seem to be too much and it takes away from the drama, of which there is not enough and in its place too much action. That is especially true of the reflecting mirrors, I could see what the production was trying to do but in the end its utilisation was overkill and at the expense of the story. In conclusion, glorious singing but silly and distracting production. 6/10 Bethany Cox

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Zelmira

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