Assassino Nella Cattedrale (Murder in the Cathedral) | Raimondi, Ospb

DVD: Assassino Nella Cattedrale (Murder in the Cathedral) | Raimondi, Ospb

DVDs:

Assassino Nella Ca...

	Assassino Nella Cattedrale (Murder in the Cathedral) Raimondi, Ospb Decca, 2008 average customer review:based on 1 review view larger image
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This is the first-ever film recording of Pizzetti's operatic version of T.S. Eliot's play, Murder in the Cathedral, telling the story of Thomas Becket's murder by the knights of Henry II. This production features the world-renowned Ruggero Raimondi as the doomed archbishop. The only large-scale work to have survived by Pizzetti, this piece of sacred drama is a rare curiosity telling the black and gory tale of the murder of Thomas Becket. Filmed as a staged performance in the spectacular Basilica di San Nicola in Bari, this is the only film version available, making this a must for all opera aficionados wanting something a little different! Ildebrando Pizzetti (1880-1968) was a composer writing in a largely parlando manner in a mix of Renaissance models, Debussy, and such contemporary European composers as Honegger and Hindemith. This is his only well-known work, premiered at La Scala in 1958.

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Raimondi's triumph

Yes, this is an opera using TS Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral as its basis. It's sung in Italian so the poetry has to go into the music and I'm not sure how much of it survives. This opera certainly doesn't replace Eliot's play. But it has had a lively history including Von Karajan's decision after hearing it in Italy to take it to Vienna (and there is a recording of its performance there). Pizzetti is a conservative composer - so the opera is gentle on the ear. At times it rises to melody but for the most part the music serves the text. The real reason for this DVD is Ruggero Raimondi's Becket. He is a superb singing actor and the role gives him the chance to shine. The other singers are unknown but quite adequate. The video is based on a performance in the Bari Cathiedral which dates from the time of Becket. It is performed before a large audience with the orchestra placed in front of the singers. It is definitely better seen on video than live since the first row of the audience seems far away from the singers. But the video also includes some material to flesh out the drama. It is definitely worth a see for Raimondi; whether it is worth more than that I'm not sure.

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