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Title: Do the producers understand opera seria?
Review: If you enjoy the singing of this cast, buy the CD. The spare sets only emphasize the visual activity of the singers, which is not only a poor substitute for genuine emotional intensity, but is too often distracting from both the dramatic moment and the music. Some of the stage business is very funny, Sesto's entrance with a bouquet of oversize flowers (we get the point) as are some of the actions of Ms. Nagelstad, but what they do is for buffa, not seria, especially in this story, which, while festive, is an at heart an instruction on governing and how a ruler may win the hearts of his people. And to you,"Aficianado," I and others who watched with me agree that there is, indeed, a woman entering on a potato, though baked not rotten. And the significance is . . . She is a hot potato? She is the sour cream? -- How about a performance that respects the genre and if possible is in period.
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