- Il resto del Carlino,
January 23, 2004
A
Werther to remember (excerpt)
(...)
The protagonist was the super-acclaimed, famous tenor Andrea
Bocelli, who succeeded in conferring to the role of the hero
an expressive take, measured but rich in many facets. His care
of the French is admirable, his sureness and freedom of stage
movements, and his choice of the particularly French vocal
style is praiseworthy.
The directorial take of Liliana Cavani was of such excellence,
with the beautiful scenery of Dante Ferrelli, that the events
of "The Sorrows of Young Werther," upon which the
libretto was based, almost seemed current. The original
setting of Goethe's book, set at the end of the 1800's was set
between the two World Wars with a Ballila automobile, bicycles,
and a profusion of light linen clothing (costumes by Perucci).
(...)
Instead of the traditional Werther, Cavani sets the final
tragic scene in a movie theater, with a few disinterested
moviegoers, while Charlotte and Werther, in total indifference,
conclude their desperate dream of love.
(...) The opera begins and
concludes with a little Christmas chorus of young voices (taught
by Silvia Rossi) and alternates with tragic and desperate
moments of expressive melodies which Bocelli impressed with a
strong launch (O natura, Pourquoi me reveiller), capable of
raising the audience's admiration.
Yves Abel, at the head of an attentive and motivated orchestra
conferred a passionate and dramatic take to the score, also
emphasizing a few Wagnerian tangents.
For everyone, an enthusiastic exit.
Translation: M. Morgan
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