Il Trovatore preview from San Francisco Opera

Nicola Luisotti makes his debut as San Francisco Opera's music director with this audience favorite, in which fast-paced action is propelled by an irresistible stream of melody. Verdi's favorite themes of destiny and desire are threaded through this suspenseful story of a corrupt count, a dashing warrior and a Gypsy who plots to avenge her mother's wrongful death. David McVicar's visually striking new production is inspired by the haunting imagery of Francisco de Goya. Tenor Marco Berti and baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky, whose beautiful tone and emotional intensity thrilled audiences in last season's Simon Boccanegra, head a charismatic cast featuring mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe and soprano Sondra Radvanovsky.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Opera

[Wilfrezsasha]

@chorus8 Since this was two years ago, I very much doubt whether anyone cares anymore, but I believe Hvorostovsky is not behind the beat so much as the orchestra is rushing him. The orchestra's job is to support the singers, not vice versa.

[gumimokus]

Hallo, have you the whole oper perheps on dvd? I love it, I whish it to bye. (sorry for ma english, I am hungarian, and live in Germany) thank for wonderfull video. by, by

[paintballKid545]

NO OFFENCE but how come all opera singers nowadays are so stiff

[MrMrmike5]

I think this production was used in the Met this season

[VivaRenata]

Some very fine soloists and very well-fed and well-dressed gypsies! But I have to cite the opera-loving former mayor of New York city, Fiorello la Guardia who said "anyone who can explain the plot of Il Trovatore to me can have my job". Now why this obsession of directors to transfer opera plots to the time of the French Revolution or WWII? Is this supposed to make this inanity more relevant to the audience? Let us enjoy the music and the conception of the composer!

[Sieglinde84]

Please? DVD? Pretty please?

[greatarchangels]

i loved the sets and the music was great too. :)

[gloria25031]

You seem to be quite well-informed, I too am concerned about this sudden departure into pop music Hvorostovsky is in. I have been obsessed with Dmitri for 5 years now, and even began an art group dedciated to him. I did not see any struggle in his role of di Luna, perhaps is just our Verdian thinking of the impossible...

[Ludlow889]

Radvanovsky was a marvel. She got standing ovations. Quinn Kelsy was filling in for Hvorostovsky that night and he was excellent, much better than Hvorostovsky sounds here.

[chorus8]

Hvorostovsky sounds not in good vocal

form, always behind the beat. Perhaps

this isn't a good role for him. On the other

hand, Radvanovsky is wonderful. I love

her. Wish I could've seen her in this.