'La Donna del Lago' DVD and Blu-ray now available for pre-order!
Joyce DiDonato’s spectacular turn as Elena in The Metropolitan Opera’s production of Rossini’s La Donna del Lago is available for pre-order on DVD and Blu-ray formats, via Amazon.com. This Paul Curran-directed production features some of the world’s greatest bel canto artists, including Juan Diego Flórez, Daniela Barcellona, John Osborn, and Oren Gradus, with conductor Michele Mariotti. Ms. DiDonato returns to star in this production from December 11-26 at the Met.
Enjoy a preview of the duet “Cielo! in qual estasi” on YouTube, and visit Amazon to secure your copy of this thrilling production today!
“Ms. DiDonato sang Rossini’s beguiling phrases with soft yet penetrating richness, subtly folding ornaments and runs into the long melodic arcs . . . The aria eventually breaks into joyous bursts of dazzling coloratura passagework, with rousing exclamations from the chorus, and Ms. DiDonato delivered . . . It was good to have the stage so bright for Ms. DiDonato’s triumphant performance of “Tanti affetti.” Besides adding an important Rossini opera to the Met’s repertory, this production gives those who have only heard her sing that aria as an encore a chance to get to know the long opera that precedes it.”
Anthony Tommasini – The New York Times
“Joyce DiDonato emerges triumphant. It doesn’t take much courage to tell the listening public that DiDonato is among the world’s greatest singing actors of any voice type; on Monday she was beyond perfect. Given the opportunity to introduce a major role to the Met’s audience, she gave a performance that may ultimately stand as a high point in her already lofty career. What we heard was one of the world’s best voices in top form—her tone was pure honey, her coloratura effortlessly fluttering, her ornamentation fearless.”
Eric C. Simpson – New York Classical Review
“Vocally she is at the top of her game. Technically a mezzo, her range is such that she can easily take soprano roles and soar. She is also a first-rate actress, convincing both as the maiden in love we first meet and as the reluctant bride-to-be. Her smile alone would melt any king’s heart.”
Wilborn Hampton – Huffington Post
“Joyce DiDonato as the much sought-after heroine is, as always, in tremendous form, no only master of all the required skills, but a sensitive actor and altogether one of the great operatic stars of the present . . . Lovers of this operatic repertoire could wish for no more. And anyone who doubts that Rossini was capable of powerful, serious drama should see this and find themselves revising their opinion.” Performance: ★★★★★
Michael Tanner – BBC Music Magazine