Verdi: Ernani, Muti/La Scala (2-CD)

Discs: 2
Record Label: EMI
Release Date: October 1, 2012

“Muti’s thrillingly, tautly controlled conducting drives a near-ideal recording of this lurid melodrama. Bruson’s ambiguous Carlos, Ghiaurov’s demonic Silva and Freni’s vulnerable heroine make an ensemble to match Domingo’s clarion anti-hero.” — BBC Music Magazine

Based on Victor Hugo’s Hernani, Ernani followed in the footsteps of Verdi’s Nabucco and I Lombardi. The adaptation and libretto was under scrutiny from the start — could an opera opening with a King hiding in a cupboard be staged, or would it be censored? Nevertheless, the show went on, and in this recording acclaimed Verdi conductor Riccardo Muti leads a star-studded cast at Teatro alla Scala to rave reviews.

Contents:

Verdi Ernani
Plácido Domingo Ernani
Mirella Freni Donna Elvira
Renato Bruson Don Carlo
Nicolai Ghiaurov Don Ruy Gomez de Silva
Gianfranco Manganotti Don Riccardo
Alfredo Giacomotti Jago
Jolanda Michieli Giovanna
Orchestra and Chorus of the Teatro alla Scala
December 1982, Teatro alla Scala, Milan