Ermione : D.Abbado, R.Abbado / Teatro di Bologna, Ganassi, Siragusa, etc (2008 Stereo)(2DVD)

Gioachino Rossini: ERMIONE

ERMIONE - Sonia Ganassi
ANDROMACA - Marianna Pizzolato
PIRRO - Gregory Kunde
ORESTE - Antonino Siragusa
PILADE - Ferdinand Von Bothmer
FENICIO - Nicola Ulivieri
CLEONE - Irina Samoylova
CEFISA - Cristina Faus
ATTALO - Riccardo Botta
Prague Chamber Chorus (Chorus Director: Jaroslav Brych)
Bologna Theatre Orchestra
Conductor: Roberto Abbado

Director: Daniele Abbado

The process of writing the verses for Ermione was entrusted to the prolific librettist Andrea Leone Tottola, known also for the work he did with Donizetti, Bellini, Pacini and Mercadante. The subject was taken from Jean-Baptiste Racine's tragedy Andromaque (1667), in turn based on Euripides' masterpiece.
Ermione was first performed at the San Carlo Theatre in Naples on 27th March 1819 with a quality cast.
When first staged, Ermione was not very successful because probably Rossini moved too far away from the taste of Italian public at the time.
Ermione was completely forgotten until 1977 when it was revived in concert form in Siena.
In Ermione Rossini steps away from some of the stylistic features of belcanto and lays the foundations for some of the masterpieces of his maturity: there is clearly more continuity between the various closed pieces, the function of the chorus is strengthened, three-part arias are replaced by two-part ones, and we can find a more vigorous vocal expression as well as a generous use of declaimed recitative.
Ermione is unquestionably the great protagonist of this opera, especially in the second act where she truly towers over the other characters.
Rossini entrusts her with a magnificent scene in four sections punctuated by recitative passages, in the course of which she can express the most highly-contrasting emotions, from fierce anger to moving love.
This immense collection of novelties and experimental touches makes Ermione an extremely interesting opera; we may state the Rossini's Ermione is one of the most finely drawn characters in all nineteenth-century opera.

STRONG POINTS:
The staging of Ermione opened the Rossini Opera Festival in 2008.
High quality audio and video live recording
The main vocal cast is an exceptional one: Rossini Opera Festival's Ermione marked the successful debut of Sonia Ganassi in the title role, where she delivers a passionate interpretation; the two tenors, both internationally renowned performers, Gregory Kunde and Antonino Siragusa display a top performance fully expressing their talent.
The direction is essential and very elegant (the setting is transposed during the second world war time period)
Abbado's conduction is precise, perfect in synchrony and masterly in timing.

REVIEWS:
The Stage , David Blewitt 19/8/08
"Sonia Ganassi's Ermione, sister to Medea, deploys an astonishing vocal armoury to searing effect. Her fury during the Act I finale is hairraising"
"Roberto Abbado conducts a taut reading which fully realises the score's remarkable formal structure."

Il Messaggero - 13/8/08 - Claudio Salvi
"This Ermione staging conveys great energy and power" .."Abbado conducts masterly"

Corriere della Sera - 12/8/08 - Enrico Grirardi
"The two Abbado seduced Pesaro"

Il Giornale- 12/8/08 - Paolo Scottti
"an excellent cast" ... "two star- tenors.., the first (Gregory Kunde) by now is part of Rossini's renaissance history and Antonino Siragusa who is far beyond a promising glory have sealed the triumph of a music in which the heroic themes...have been conducted by a passionate Roberto Abbado"

Opera Magazine no. 33
Gregory Kunde does not stop to impress for the vocal and theatrical level of his Pirro, who is a brutal and nervous part, confirming to be the sole rossinian tenor capable to interpret such a large range of parts with the adequate style. ( Dynamic )