Pavarotti Plus

   in Opera Now (Jun, 2015)
A DVD that would have seemed a souvenir back in 1995 is now an historical record: Pavarotti Plus at the Royal Albert Hall features the great tenor and a welter of stars of the day performing less hackneyed pieces than one might fear. Pavarotti is in good voice for this stage of his career, but his dramatic involvement sometimes leaves something to be desired – witness Dolora Zajick almost combusting as Azucena while her Manrico looks confusedly at his music stand. Let’s just say it’s all in the voice. Zajick gets a better partner to bounce off in Kallen Esperian’s spirited Aida. Good contributions from Natalie Dessay. Giuseppe Sabbatini, Dwayne Croft …