DVD : Verdi: Ernani (1983)

Rating: - Four Great Voices in Verdi's Ernani
I had the privilege to see this production in person and I must say that the DVD captures the essence of the production.
Lucianno brought his usual beauty of voice to this production as well as Leona Mitchell. We have not heard near enough from her. But what a singer she is. She scaled this piece with soaring beauty and bravura, scaling over orchestra and chorus with unusual beauty and technique.
Sherill is in magnificent voice and verile in his portrayal. Raimoindi rounds out these great voices as a robust and earthy Bass.
It was a delight to hear Verdi's music essayed in this way.
I beg to differ about Freni's portryal over Mitchell's. Mitchell
has the depth and expansiveness, not to mention the beauty that it takes to sing Verdi.

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Rating: - Pavarotti excites as Ernani in Met alternative Version
James Levine and his met forces offer us a performancer of 'Ernani' that includes revisions Verdi made to the score after its Venice premiere. He added a cabaletta to Silva's aria that was taken from an alternative aria he wrote for his first opera 'Oberto'. The bass part of Silva was considered a secondary role because his aria had no cabaletta. Consequently star basses used to have the baritone role of Don Carlo transposed to bass register. Verdi inserted the cabaletta into the opera to discourage the practice. Furthermore in Act II Verdi wrote a new aria to act as finale to the Act. This was done at the behest of Rossini who wanted a bravura aria to showcase the talent of his protege Nicolai Ivanov. Both Ruggero Raimondi as Silva and Luciano Pavarotti as Ernani justify their inclusion in this performance. Elsewhere in the performance Pavarotti sings with lovely melting tone and Raimondi strikes one as an utterly driven Silva. Leona Mitchell as Elvira sings securely as Elvira even if she is not as dramatically compelling as Mirella Freni for Riccardo Muti in La Scala. Similarly Sherrill Milnes yields dramatic points to the incomparable Renato Bruson, yet delights by his firm top notes and ease with which he sings his music. By virtue of the variants described above this performance should be seen as a supplement to instead of an alternative to the Muti performance

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Rating: - Ideal cast for this early verdi Opera
First I think It has to be said that Ernani is not an overly believable story. The sheer melodramatic unlikeliness of some of the action make it less of a sheer dramatic experience, unlike say, Rigoletto, Otello, La Traviata, or many of Verdi's later works. This is not a reflection on Verdi, who uses this mediocre Libretto to create some very moving music.
As I said in the title, this singers are nearly ideal. Pavarotti plays the bandit Ernani. He has rarely sounded better. His tone is Bright, attractive and ringing, This first act aria, despite a small rhymical mistake at the end, is fabulous. He takes an optional aria, that I had never heard before and sings it virtuosically. His acting is general, but he looks very good onstage. I was not dissapointed by his acting. I believe this is because the Liberetto does not make intricate dramatic demands on the singer, so general melodramatic emotion passes as appropriate.
Leona Mitchell is an excellent Elvira. It is a part that has alot of chest voice required, and Leona brings it. She sings Ernani Involami, with ardor and passion. The costumer might have mae a more intelligent choice so that the Diva's chest didnt heave out of her shirt with every breath, it wasnt exactly becoming.
Ruggero Raimondi was intense as Silva. He was believable as the cucolded old man. his voice was booming and edgy. While his voice isn't always focused perfectly, he is a perfect dramatist. His performance is wonderful.
Sherill Milnes is a great Charles the 5th. It is of interest that this performance was Milnes's comeback from vocal sugery after busting a cappilary in his vocal cord. He kept it a secret and cancelled many performance, including the Met centennial gala. His anxiety over this performance, by his own admission, approached hysteria. Miraculously, he sings very well here. Perhaps his voice is a bit under, but its still has the Milnes coloring. His aria comparing himself to Charlemagne, was a classic. Throwing caution to the wind, he muscles out a A flat, to the delight of the crowd.
Overall this is an excellent production of verdis opera. If you are an early verdi fan, this is a must have.

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Rating: - A must have for any opera lover
This is a historical performance. For the first time in over 100 years,the alternate finale of Act 2 is being played in a major opera house,Pavarotti receiving a well deserved ovation after the aria and cabaletta wrote by Verdi for his famous contemporary tenor, Ivanov. Mitchell and Raimondi are in superb voice, both very secure with the exposed high notes from the score. As it was only later known, this is the first performance of Milnes after his vocal chords surgery. Altough he takes a little time to warm up, he manages afterwards to bring down the house in style, with a fantastic A-flat at the end of his big aria. Levine conducts with style the orchestra and chorus,in a performance staged during the Met centenial celebrations.

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Rating: - Sorry to disagree
I wonder if those who are enthusiastic about this performance have seen the Muti/La Scala performance with Domingo, Freni, Bruson, and Ghiarov? That one is fiery and exciting. I found this production plodding. Of course, Pavarotti sings well, but Leona Mitchell does not have the flexibility in her voice to sing the role well. I recommend waiting for the La Scala production - with all 4 singers and Muti in superb form, though the sets are sometimes ludicrous.