Mozart - La Finta Semplice (Michael Hofstetter) [2006]

×

Mozart - La Finta Semplice (Michael Hofstetter) [2006]

Close

What is performed on stage is Mozart's opera "La Finta Semplice", taped in Salzburg in 2006 and composed when young Wolfgang was only 12. The DVD is part of the "M22" collection of all Mozart operas on DVD.
Let's face it: this is not a Mozart for the faint-hearted: the stage director decided to savagely cut the recitativo secco so that the opera runs for a total 2h10 versus the usual pace of 3h00. He decided to replace most of this dialogue – initially in Italian – by a German dialogue, "acted" by all the singers and a fantastic German actress, Marianne Hamre.
The result tends to make Mozart's genius, aged 12, even more obvious: with most of the "boring" bits removed, we are left with virtually two hours of non-stop beauty, showing the young composer's lyricism and comical sense.
The production of Joachim Schloemer has a lot to do with this success. Without negating the humorous aspects of the piece – where comic book elements intermingle with body painting and practical jokes, he also turns it into a reflection on creation and the independence of the artist. In this respect the production can also be very moving – particularly when Rosina, the main character, frees herself from her "shadow" who choreographed all her movements.
The triumph is also musical. The distribution is simply unparalleled, led by the beautiful soprano Malin Hartelius as Rosina and the bass Josef Wagner. Their duet in Act II when they performed an hilarious "love dance" is worth by itself the price of the DVD. This very integrated and very lyric team of singers/actors is enthusiastically conducted by Michael Hofstetter. The Camerata Salzburg provides the ideal Mozart orchestra, accurate, very rhythmic and also lyrical when all the singers pause for thought.
An unforgettable evening, that should hopefully help "Semplice" back in the repertoire. Bring on the other DVDs of the M22 collection!
By Autonome

×

Mozart - La Finta Semplice (Michael Hofstetter) [2006]

Close