London, 1601: love, desire and a death sentence at the English royal
court - an ideal combination for an Italian grand opera. And Gaetano
Donizetti's Roberto Devereux could hardly be grander or more fit for a
queen. The ideal showcase for Edita Gruberova!
The prima donna assoluta of bel canto triumphs in this rarely performed
work.
In Christof Loy's production at Munich's National Theater, Edita Gruberova
sings the role of Queen Elizabeth I. Friedrich Haider conducts the chorus
and orchestra of the Bavarian State Opera; the HDTV recording is directed
by Emmy award winner Brian Large.
"Wavering between wounded pride, desperate love, moments of mildness and
blind revenge [...], she fashions a mad scene that takes the viewer's
breath away. The furious coloraturas, the swelling tones, the outbursts,
the nearly inaudible groans - everything fuses into an image of
psychological desolation. [...] The great Elizabeth becomes Edita the
Great, who rules all the more firmly in the realm of art." (Bernd Feuchtner
on her concert performance of the role, in Opernwelt, March 2004)
Unitel offers eight operas starring the Slovakian-born soprano, including
Mozart's Così fan tutte, Die Entführung aus dem Serail and Die Zauberflöte,
as well as Verdi's Rigoletto. Unitel and Classica have also recorded
another bel canto favorite with Edita Gruberova from the Bavarian State
Opera, Vincenzo Bellini's Norma.
