by William Fratti – Rossini's grandiose Opera at the Rossini Opera Festival 2023 in Pesaro directed by Mario Martone.
Aurelian in Palmyra it is a great work and should be treated as such. The subject, the elements covered, the scene changes, the historical and social context in which it was written, undoubtedly foresee a Napoleonic management.
The astonishing music of Il Cigno di Pesaro - so beautiful and theatrically effective that it was largely reused in many subsequent works - is divided into large choral moments and long intimate passages, which is why it should be valued precisely in this sense. Unfortunately the show of Martone, which already didn't work well in 2014 on the theater stage, is even more empty and monotonous in the arena. Nowadays we no longer expect large, imposing sets, but from a director of his caliber - and especially in a restaging - we would expect more work on the settings also through a more conspicuous use of props, mimes and extras. Continuing to hide behind the centrality of the author's music is a good excuse: then you might as well perform the work in concert form.
George Petrou he conducts the G. Rossini Symphony Orchestra with extreme ease. Homogeneity and fluidity shines through from his guidance, both with the pit and with the stage.
The highly applauded Alexey Tatarintsev he is an Aureliano who has little dramatic accent and is a little too shrill in the high notes.
Instead Sara Blanch he fully deserves his personal success. She is a refined performer of all her parts, she stands out particularly in the coloraturas, in the high variations, showing herself capable even in the most pathetic pages and in the lowest notes. Undoubtedly Queen Zenobia would be more credible with more character in the central area, but these are interpretative choices.
The Arsace by is very elegant Raffaella Lupinacci, first interpreter of Publia in the previous edition. The artistic maturation of the mezzo-soprano is undeniable and brings to the stage a character refined in interpretation and vocality rich in nuances.
All the surrounding parts are also good, above all Marta Pluda in the shoes of Publia.
Good performance by the Teatro della Fortuna Choir directed by Mirca Rosciani.
AURELIANO IN PALMIRA
Serious drama for music in two acts by Giuseppe Felice Romani
Music by Gioachino Rossini
Critical edition of the Rossini Foundation, in collaboration with Casa Ricordi, edited by Daniele Carnini and Will Crutchfield
Director GEORGE PETROU
Director MARIO MARTONE
Scene SERGIO TRAMONTI
Costumes URSULA PAZAZ
Lights PASQUALE MARI
Aureliano ALEXEY TATARINTSEV
Zenobia SARA BLANCH
Arsace RAFFAELLA LUPINACCI
Published MARTA PLUDA
Oraspe SUNNYBOY PLAY
Licinius DAVIDE GIANGREGORIO
High Priest ALESSANDRO ABIS
Un Pastore ELCIN ADIL
CHOIR OF THE THEATER OF FORTUNA
Choir Master MIRCA ROSCIANI
G. ROSSINI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Photos and videos ROSSINI OPERA FESTIVAL