Barebones Venice
Two yeras ago the Colón presented at the Coliseo I Due Foscari,
but thatversion,decent enough musically, was ruined by the staring of Louis Désiré.The Roma interpretation showed that a concert presentation can work if the artists are involved dramatically and have the right vocal means.
And both factors were present.The piece,based on Lord Byron,lacks variety but is certainly strong and intense recounting the tragedy of the two Foscari, father and son,in the Venice of the Council of Ten.
A welcome switch of dates allowed me to hear a talented young Greek baritone with the looks of a Don Giovanni,arguably too young for the Dux Foscari but certainly musical and interesting Aris Argiris.
He grew into the part and was impressive in the final scene.
Leonardo Pastore presented an anguished and well.sung Jacopo Foscari. And Haydée Dabusti showed again that in this sort of dramatic verdi part she has the right style, the no-holds-barred attack and the technical ability such as the part of Lucrezia Contarini needs.
Good supporting work from Gualalupe Larzabal.Luciano Straguzzi and Cristian Mella.
The sum of four different choirs paradoxucally wasn 't enough, for the singing was tentative and backward.
But the Avellaneda Symphony responded passably well to the convinced enthusiasm of conductor Cesar Tello.