An excellent performance of this delightful opera. The principals are superb, especially the sisters. Bruscantini as Don Alfonso is past his prime, but he knows and understands the role inside out, so one does not even notice his vocal limitations. Araiza is in top form as Ferrando, and Morris makes virile Guglielmo. The only disappointment is Battle as Despina. Unlike her partners, she does not have feel for the Mozart ensemble, and her vocal mannerisms are totally unbecoming. How the producers allowed that to happen is a mystery. Muti's conducting is terrific, much better than on his La Scala video, where he is uninvolved.
Margaret Marshall
as Fiordiligi
Ann Murray
as Dorabella
James Morris
as Guglielmo
Francisco Araiza
as Ferrando
Kathleen Battle
as Despina
Sesto Bruscantini
as Don Alfonso
Riccardo Muti
as Conductor
