Stiffelio I admit is not one of my favourite Verdi operas, though I do like it and consider it very underrated. Its story is somewhat disjointed, though its not as problematic as Giovanna D'Arco and Nabucco as with its juxtaposition of spiritual and earthly life it has many moments of power(see the end of Act 2 for instance). It is just not as compelling as Macbeth or as thematically interesting as Luisa Miller in my view, that's all.
However the music, in more concerted, continuous form rather than the recitative and aria structure(there are certainly arias, just not as many as those you'll find in Rigoletto or La Traviata for instance), has a very expressive and human touch, and the private agony vs. public responsibility theme that Verdi specialised in(as you will see in Otello for example) you can hear and see in this opera. I have to say though that I don't think the Overture is one of Verdi's best like La Forza Del Destino and I Vespri Siciliani, for my tastes it is a little too jaunty and perhaps too Bel Canto in style and juxtaposes too much with the basic mood of the opera.
Not only that, but the characters while not entirely burning in the memory in the way Rigoletto, King Phillip and Amneris do are interesting and conflicted, Stiffelio himself is especially true to this. Stiffelio could also be noted, or at least to me, for alongside Otello being one of the Verdi operas where the tenor role is the hardest or most memorable, a difference to where in Verdi it is that with the soprano(Nabucco, La Traviata), mezzo soprano(Aida, Il Trovatore, Macbeth possibly though sopranos have also sung the role), baritone(Rigoletto, Simon Boccanegra) or bass(Don Carlo, Ernani).
Back to this 1993 Met production it is simply superb, one of the better Met productions of any of Verdi's operas in my opinion. The sets have such beauty and are very appropriate, even with the sober, traditional atmosphere the production exudes. The costumes are sumptuous. I also think this Stiffelio is one of the best presented DVDs in my opera DVD collection(which is vast and still growing!). The camera work and picture quality are handsome, almost cinematic, the sound is clear and favours both the orchestra and singers, the whole DVD is beautifully packaged and comes with an interesting booklet and comprehensible subtitles.
Musically, the production is faultless. The orchestra's playing is beautiful and powerful, doing justice to the lush and complex orchestration. I have seen and heard criticisms of Levine's Verdi conducting, but I happen in general to find him exciting, true there have been some cases like the 1991 Un Ballo in Maschera where it does feel plodding but in many other cases such as this and his superb 70s La Forza Del Destino and Otello recordings where it is very exciting indeed.
The principal singing is exceptional from all involved. I especially want to single out Placido Domingo and Vladmir Chernov. Domingo simply embodies the intensely searing role of Stiffelio, almost reminiscent of his magnificent Otello at times. The singing is musical, nuanced and powerful, a baritone-like quality with high notes that are not too strained, and the whole performance is very dramatically authentic, like all his performances he becomes the character. Chernov contrasts perfectly as Stankar, the father figure. He is very stern, honourable and sympathetic, almost like Rigoletto, Germont and Boccanegra, and his voice is one of many striking colours, it makes it very pleasurable and exciting to listen to him.
Sharon Sweet, like her Leonora in the 1996 La Forza Del Destino, shows why her career should have lasted longer than it did. Her voice is a true lyric-spinto, explosive yet beautiful, and she is very convincing from a dramatic point of view as Lina, one of the more sympathetic Verdi female characters perhaps. I have always loved Paul Plishka for his hearty acting and sonorous voice(especially as King Phillip, Fiesco and Alidoro), his role as Stiffelio's conscience Jorg gives him a perfect opportunity to show off his compassionate side, a side of Plishka I find absolutely mesmerising. All in all, this Stiffelio is superb, a must watch for much more than curio-value. 10/10 Bethany Cox
However the music, in more concerted, continuous form rather than the recitative and aria structure(there are certainly arias, just not as many as those you'll find in Rigoletto or La Traviata for instance), has a very expressive and human touch, and the private agony vs. public responsibility theme that Verdi specialised in(as you will see in Otello for example) you can hear and see in this opera. I have to say though that I don't think the Overture is one of Verdi's best like La Forza Del Destino and I Vespri Siciliani, for my tastes it is a little too jaunty and perhaps too Bel Canto in style and juxtaposes too much with the basic mood of the opera.
Not only that, but the characters while not entirely burning in the memory in the way Rigoletto, King Phillip and Amneris do are interesting and conflicted, Stiffelio himself is especially true to this. Stiffelio could also be noted, or at least to me, for alongside Otello being one of the Verdi operas where the tenor role is the hardest or most memorable, a difference to where in Verdi it is that with the soprano(Nabucco, La Traviata), mezzo soprano(Aida, Il Trovatore, Macbeth possibly though sopranos have also sung the role), baritone(Rigoletto, Simon Boccanegra) or bass(Don Carlo, Ernani).
Back to this 1993 Met production it is simply superb, one of the better Met productions of any of Verdi's operas in my opinion. The sets have such beauty and are very appropriate, even with the sober, traditional atmosphere the production exudes. The costumes are sumptuous. I also think this Stiffelio is one of the best presented DVDs in my opera DVD collection(which is vast and still growing!). The camera work and picture quality are handsome, almost cinematic, the sound is clear and favours both the orchestra and singers, the whole DVD is beautifully packaged and comes with an interesting booklet and comprehensible subtitles.
Musically, the production is faultless. The orchestra's playing is beautiful and powerful, doing justice to the lush and complex orchestration. I have seen and heard criticisms of Levine's Verdi conducting, but I happen in general to find him exciting, true there have been some cases like the 1991 Un Ballo in Maschera where it does feel plodding but in many other cases such as this and his superb 70s La Forza Del Destino and Otello recordings where it is very exciting indeed.
The principal singing is exceptional from all involved. I especially want to single out Placido Domingo and Vladmir Chernov. Domingo simply embodies the intensely searing role of Stiffelio, almost reminiscent of his magnificent Otello at times. The singing is musical, nuanced and powerful, a baritone-like quality with high notes that are not too strained, and the whole performance is very dramatically authentic, like all his performances he becomes the character. Chernov contrasts perfectly as Stankar, the father figure. He is very stern, honourable and sympathetic, almost like Rigoletto, Germont and Boccanegra, and his voice is one of many striking colours, it makes it very pleasurable and exciting to listen to him.
Sharon Sweet, like her Leonora in the 1996 La Forza Del Destino, shows why her career should have lasted longer than it did. Her voice is a true lyric-spinto, explosive yet beautiful, and she is very convincing from a dramatic point of view as Lina, one of the more sympathetic Verdi female characters perhaps. I have always loved Paul Plishka for his hearty acting and sonorous voice(especially as King Phillip, Fiesco and Alidoro), his role as Stiffelio's conscience Jorg gives him a perfect opportunity to show off his compassionate side, a side of Plishka I find absolutely mesmerising. All in all, this Stiffelio is superb, a must watch for much more than curio-value. 10/10 Bethany Cox
