Mozart: La clemenza di Tito

La Clemenza Di Tito is not in my top 5 of Mozart's operas, but any Mozart opera is worth hearing/watching and La Clemenza Di Tito is no exception. This production is one of the best Drottningholm Mozart productions along with Cosi Fan Tutte and La Finta Giardiniera. Le Nozze Di Figaro is my least favourite but still has its high points. Visually it is traditional and looks absolutely beautiful in both the costumes and sets. The picture quality and sound are also very good. Musically the production is just as wonderful, the orchestral playing is sprightly and sensitive with the brass for the procession almost startling in sound. Arnold Ostman's tempos are quick and crisp without feeling rushed. In terms of staging there is always something to see without it feeling overdone.

The performances are simply wonderful, the standouts being Anita Soldh's Vitellia and Stefan Dahlberg's Tito. Vitellia is the most complicated character of the opera and Soldh meets the demands splendidly, alluring and dominant and singing with command whether loud or soft. Dahlberg is appropriately benevolent and sings with a wonderful sense of lyricism, honeyed yet very emotional. He is especially wonderful in the trio where Tito's frustration is very convincing, and Ah, Se Fosse Intorno Al Trono has a lot of bite and bounce as it should. Pia Marie-Nilsson is a charming Servilia and her voice is of great lyric beauty that is more than ideal for the role. Lani Poulssen shows Sesto's hope and despair with conviction and sings with great style. Maria Höglind is a graceful Annio, while Jerker Arvidssen is an authoritative Publio.

In conclusion, a wonderful production. 10/10 Bethany Cox