Album

Wolf-Ferrari wrote his La vedova scaltra (The Cunning Widow) in 1931, but it could easily be mistaken for a work from the turn of the century. In fact, there are significant sections that sound like they could have been written in the mid-nineteenth century if it weren't for the occasional intrusion of a Puccini-ism or Lehár-ism. Wolf-Ferrari's proto-polystylism may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the composer could write a good tune, and there are a number of them in the opera. There is also a good deal of pedestrian filler and recitative that may be meaningful on-stage, but it is less so on disc. The opera is no masterpiece, but its 2007 revival at Teatro La Fenice, on which this recording is based, was certainly not a waste of resources. The play by Goldoni on which it's based is witty, and Wolf-Ferrari had a genuine gift for amusing music, which is rare enough among opera composers. The performance is very fine, as would be expected from a major international opera house. The orchestra and chorus perform with finesse and spirit. It's hard to identify particular soloists from the scant information in the CD booklet, but Anne-Lise Sollied is especially effective in the title role, and the quality of the singing is consistently high. All the singers sound like they are having a terrific time, and their enthusiasm goes a long way in making a case for the opera. The sound is very good for a live recording, with just a little low-level noise that's easy to overlook. The odds are that this will remain the sole available recording for a while; it may be of interest to fans of obscure operatic repertoire.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 2
Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari Composer La vedova scaltra, opera in 3 acts Work 2:21:34 Luca Favaron Tenor, Riccardo Zanellato Bass, Claudio Zancopé Baritone, Anne-Lise Sollied Soprano, Maurizio Muraro Bass, Karl Martin Conductor, Fenice Theater Chorus Chorus/Choir, Emanuele D'Aguanno Tenor, Elena Rossi Soprano, Fenice Theater Orchestra Orchestra, Mark Milhofer Tenor, Alex Esposito Vocals, Emanuela di Pietro Chorus/Choir Director, Antonio Casagrande Bass
1	Act 1. Scene 1. Damigella, bruna e bella	7:51			$1.49
2	Act 1. Scene 2. Et comme ça	6:26			$0.99
3	Act 1. Scene 2. Con grazia, se pol entrar?	7:13			$1.49
4	Act 1. Scene 4. I miei complimenti, Signora Rosaura	6:22			$0.99
5	Act 1. Scene 3. Oh, Marionette!	2:49			$0.99
6	Act 1. Scene 4. Ma... Monsieur	6:57			$0.99
7	Act 1. Scene 4. Ma che son questi suoni?	5:13			$0.99
8	Act 2. Scene 1. Arlecchino - Monsù?	9:21			$1.49
9	Act 2. Scene 2. Nella notturna selva	5:09			$0.99
10	Act 2. Scene 2. Signora, c'è un valletto di Monsieur	9:21			$1.49
11	Act 2. Scene 2. Giusto cielo! Chi è questo?	8:38			$1.49

CD 2 of 2
1	Act 2. Scene 3. E non vuole parlare!	4:56			$0.99
2	Act 2. Scene 3. O Rosaura non sa le convenienze	6:18			$0.99
3	Act 2. Scene 3. Questa parrucca, però	6:28			$0.99
4	Act 2. Scene 3. Monsieur Arlecchino, che fate voi?	7:18			$1.49
5	Act 3. Scenes 1 and 2. Ascolta, Marionette, il mio progetto	5:15			$0.99
6	Act 3. Scenes 1 and 2. Caffè	6:08			$0.99
7	Act 3. Scenes 1 and 2. Monsieur Le Bleu è fuggito	13:00			$2.49
8	Act 3. Scenes 1 and 2. Che vai dicendo, che non t'intendo?	5:19			$0.99
9	Act 3. Last Scene. Nel palazzo di Rosaura	4:16			$0.99
10	Act 3. Last Scene. Signori miei, vo' farvi un discorsetto	7:16			$1.49