Stars: Cecilia Bartoli, Il Giardino Armonico

Summary: Recorded at the Theatre Des Champs-Elysees in Paris and includes arias from 'Ottone In Villa', 'Tito Manlio', 'Farnace' and more.

The world-renowned soprano Cecilia Bartoli sings some of the lesser known works of the great composer Antonio Vivaldi during this lovely concert performance. Ably backed by instrumentalists including violinist Marco Bianchi, lutist Luca Pianca, oboe player Maria Grazia d'Alessio, and flautino soloist Giovanni Anonini--who also acts as the conductor--the gorgeous soprano gives a voice to a composer whose legendary work THE FOUR SEASONS has, unfortunately, eclipsed all of his other gems.

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Viva Vivaldi!is a concert by the Italian mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli interspersing arias from the 20 surviving operas of Vivaldi with two concertos. Given with the early music ensemble Il Giardino Armonico before a very appreciative audience in the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the performance is part of Bartoli's exploration of the Venetian composer's opera music which also includes The Vivaldi Album. That said there is very little overlap between the studio-recorded CD and this 105-minute concert. Anyone thinking of Vivaldi's vocal music in the context of his uplifting scared works may get a shock, for Bartoli performs as if her life depended upon it, attacking pieces such as "Armatae Face et Anguibus" from Juditha Triumphanswith vengeful gusto. Indeed, there is a startling dynamic energy, which contrasts powerfully with the more restrained interpretations by singers such as Emma Kirkby. Bartoli's natural Italian and the live atmosphere of Maria Grazia d'Alessio's oboe gives her interpretation of the quietly haunting and melodically rich "Non ti Lusinghi la Crudeltade" from Tito Manlioa particular piquancy. The Flautino Concerto is a most attractive interlude, while the more famous Lute/Violin Concerto beguiles with its exquisite lyricism. One Vivaldi opera not represented, Orlando Furioso, is available in a complete performance from 1989.

On the DVD:The anamorphically enhanced 1.77:1 image is well above average for a concert video with good detail, definition and colour, and compression artefacting only noticeable on rare completely static shots. There are three sound options: DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM stereo. The surround options are certainly all enveloping, though there is a certain gimmickry in placing the flutes in the rear channels which is attractive with the eyes closed but is decidedly unrepresentative of what is happening on screen. In these modes Bartoli's voice is curiously unfocused. The stereo alternative is clearly locked to the screen, with much of the information actually directed to the centre speaker. This is less expansive but has a natural clarity that will appeal to those who want a more accurate reproduction of the event. There are multiple language subtitles, including English, though the only special feature is the option to have the musical score superimposed over the concert. While a fine idea in principle the execution leaves everything to be desired: the score is presented on a translucent white backdrop, through which the musicians can be seen as pale, bleached-out ghostly figures. Unfortunately the overlaying of the two images results in such an irritating flicker that the screen is barely watchable. --Gary S Dalkin

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Wide Screen
Main Language:	Italian
Region:	Region 0
Subtitles:	English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Year:	2000
Release Date:	July 30, 2001
Runtime:	106 minutes
Certification:	Exempt.
Catalogue Number:	100 228
Keywords:	Music, Performance, Vivaldi, Plays, Viva, Classical, Bartoli, Performing, Choral, Cecilia, Vocal, Arts
Genre:	Music/Performing Arts