VERDI: Attila - Cheryl Studer, Samuel Ramey, Riccardo Muti, La Scala (DVD)

Verdi: Attila
Samuel Ramey (Attila); Giorgio Zancanaro (Ezio); Cheryl Studer (Odabella);

Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala; Riccardo Muti

Riccardo Muti conducts a fine cast in the powerful and atmospheric 1991 production of Verdi’s ninth opera, whose story of the heroic tussle between Ezio, a Roman general, and Attila, the Nordic invader was written for the 1846 Teatro la Fenice season and premiered there to huge acclaim. Sung in Italian with English subtitles.


"The 1991 production of Attila from La Scala with Riccardo Muti taut and incisive in this strong, compact piece is outstandingly dramatic...The relative brevity of the piece, with one key number following promptly on another, makes a strong impact on DVD, in a production with traditional costumes and using minimal but atmospheric sets. Samuel Ramey in the title-role and Giorgio Zancanaro as the Roman general, Ezio, both at their peak, in their nicely contrasted ways firm and dark, are ideally cast, with Cheryl Studer also outstanding as Odabella." (The Penguin Guide)

"The singers match up to the challenge wonderfully well...Moreover, these individual talents come together as a well-disciplined ensemble, and the concerted numbers have the authentic thrill of Italian opera in best working order." (Gramophone)