The opera Andrea Chenier is a masterpiece, full of beautiful music and a plausible and effective story. This La Scala production is wonderful, I agree the sound is a little iffy but everything else is first-rate.
The production looks great, the costumes are beautifully tailored and the sets are lavish without looking too old-fashioned, helped by some above decent video directing. The orchestra playing is superb throughout making the aria La Mamma Morta more poignant than it already is, and the conducting successfully brings out the Verismo elements of this score and opera.
The performances are exceptional. Jose Carreras is excellent as Andrea Chenier, he is in great voice, is a dashing presence and his L'Improviso deservedly brought the house down. Eva Marton is a strong Maddalena, her limpid voice is put to perfect use and she uses the stage well. She is at her best during her final scene, which is very moving. Then there is the always reliable Piero Cappuccilli who is absolutely brilliant as Carlo Gerard, and his Nemica Della Patria is one of the better renditions I've heard of the aria.
All in all, a wonderful production, helped by superb performances from the leads. 9/10 Bethany Cox
