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Title: No Fun
Review: While Riccardo Muti may be one of the premier Verdi conductors in the world today, the effervesence of this light Donizetti comedy almost completely eludes him. The score under his baton becomes quite leaden. He is not helped by the cast; Mirella Freni was past Norina at this point in her career and she wisely avoids high notes even though she does try to exhibit some of the character's personality. Gosta Winbergh is adequate as Ernesto while Leo Nucci's Malatesta tries to bring some life to the proceedings. Sesto Bruscantini is a surprise - his Pasquale is heavy-handed and lumbering: a definite comedown from his Cetra recording of the role 30 years earlier. All said, the champagne is quite flat here and it would be better to look elsewhere if you want to hear this opera with all the panache Donizetti intended.
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