Verdi: Macbeth

Biondi, Fabio, Europa Galante, Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Choir

GCD 923411

Giuseppe Verdi considered Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth "one of the greatest creations of the human spirit", from whose material he created a no less important masterpiece for the opera stage. Several versions of this work exist: In his recording Fabio Biondi falls back on the original version from 1847 and proves to be exactly the radical, demanding musical spirit that is needed to breathe new life into this masterpiece and the search for dramatic truth it contains.

Fabio Biondi’s version comes with baritone Giovanni Meoni, a leading Verdi specialist as Macbeth whilst the largerthan-life role of Lady Macbeth is taken by a noted present day Salome, Médée (and Medea), the soprano Nadja Michael. Bass Fabrizio Beggi assumes the part of Banquo, both when alive and as a ghost. Important also in the work (and as described by Stefano Russomanno in his accompanying essay) is the chorus, a leading protagonist for the composer, and here the Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic Choir.

Critical also is Verdi’s orchestral writing for ‘Macbeth’, introducing rare and radical tonal colourings and Fabio Biondi, directing his Europa Galante from the violin, is just the radical, challenging musical spirit to breathe new life into Verdi’s masterpiece and its search for dramatic truth.

CD x 2

Glossa

2.11.2018

8424562234116