VERDI: Messa da Requiem (2009)
Performers: Norma Fantini, sop./Anna Smirnova, mezzo/ Francesco Meli, tenor/Rafael Siwek, bass/Chorus of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino/Symphonica Toscanini/Lorin Maazel cond.
Studio: Medici Arts [Distr. by Naxos]
Video: 16:9 color
Audio: DTS 5.1, DD 5.1, PCM stereo
No region coding
Subtitles: Latin, English, German, French
Length: 97 minutes
Rating: ****
One of the 2007 50th anniversary observances of the death of conductor Toscanini was this spectacular benefit concert which took place in the basilica of St. Mark’s in Venice. The conductor was Maazel, on whom Toscanini had a great impact after the young conductor-to-be had met Toscanini at age 11.
This requiem was a showpiece for Toscanini and is one of the classic two highly operatic/dramatic requiems – the other being the Berlioz. St. Marks was a perfect venue for such a concert since it had premiered the world’s first music especially designed for surround sound/spatial placement of the players. Other recorded performances have occurred here, such as E. Power Biggs’ organ-based performances – although the highly reflective surfaces of the gold mosaics lining the cathedral don’t necessarily offer the best acoustic environment.
The surroundings are incorporated into the video coverage of the performance and it is often difficult to take one’s eyes off the amazing decor of St. Marks to concentrate on the music at hand. Those doges were certainly not shy about putting their fabulous wealth on display for all to marvel at. The rich trappings appropriately support the richness of the usually spare requiem form. The performance of the highly operatic requiem is also a marvel, with eloquent singing and playing from all involved. The DTS surround brings the viewer into the impressive venue both aurally and visually.
– John Sunier
