Gaetano Donizetti: Roberto Devereux – Mariella Devia

   in Opera Now (Mar, 2017)
Soprano Mariella Devia is soon to be 69, but her career is enjoying something of an Indian summer, as shown by her Elisabetta in Roberto Devereux, filmed in Genoa last year. She always possesses an immaculately tasteful approach, backed up by solid bel canto technique, though perhaps low on thrills. In this Donizetti, she throws caution to the winds, giving a galvanising performance, growing into her own legend. Her voice has a strong middle, some effective but sparely used chest notes, and thrilling if piercing acuti. She dominates the stage. Sonia Ganassi’s Sara is fluid, likewise Mansoo Kim’s Nottingham, and Stefan Pop’s Roberto is generally elegant and sincere. Alfonso Antoniozzi’s …