I Capuleti e i Montecchi (I) (2006 Video) User Reviews

Not a great production but a good one

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 10 February 2013]

I Capuletti e I Montecchi is not one of Bellini's best works, but there is enough of Bellini's style and beautiful music to make it worthwhile. I did like this production a fair bit, but I do consider the Patrizia Ciofi version, which came out around a similar time frame, the better production. The costumes are lovely, and the sets are also pleasing on the eyes, though there are perhaps too many scene changes. The stage direction does do what it can to keep the story moving and to make it more interesting than it is. The orchestra play the music stylishly and with a lovely sound, while the chorus are animated and skillfully blended and the conducting at least shows an understanding for Bellini's style. Of the performances, Paola Gardina's beautifully sung and robust Romeo is the most consistent. Valentina Farcas is beguiling and sings with clarity but her colouratura is a tad overdone in places. Giacomo Patti is commanding as Tebaldo though his top has a tendency to sound thin. Roberto Tagliavini is at least adequate as Cappelio, a strong sound but a little stolid. The video directing, picture and sound quality are very good. Overall, a good if not great production, and worth seeing for being one of only two productions of the opera available on DVD presently. 7/10 Bethany Cox