Giordano : Andrea Chénier. Pavarotti, Levine.

   in Opera Now (Mar, 2012)
Giordano’s one-hit wonder about the French Revolution is what many believe opera should be: soaring melodies, big choral numbers, superstar singers. It certainly gets the latter in this 1997 production from the Metropolitan Opera, released now for the first time on video. The main attraction is Pavarotti in one of his signature roles. Recorded at a time when his voice had lost its youthful bloom, he concentrates on enunciating rather than belting the words; the result is very effective. Singing Maddalena opposite him is the magnificent Maria Guleghina who is on fire; their duets are inspired. There is also a scene-stealing, flat out performance from Juan Pons as the jealous revolutionary …