Luisa Miller

Composer: Verdi, Giuseppe

Librettist/Text Author: Cammarano, Salvatore

Conductor: Renzetti, Donato

Orchestra: Parma Teatro Regio Orchestra

Chorus: Parma Teatro Regio Chorus

Chorus Master: Faggiani, Martino

Contadina: Nikolic, Katarina

Federica: Franci, Francesca

Il Conte di Walter: Surian, Giorgio

Laura: Nikolic, Katarina

Luisa: Cedolins, Fiorenza

Miller: Nucci, Leo

Rodolfo: Alvarez, Marcelo

Un contadino: Villari, Angelo

Wurm: Siwek, Rafal

Set Designer: Krief, Denis

Costume Designer: Krief, Denis

Lighting Designer: Krief, Denis

Stage Director: Krief, Denis

Television Director: Dorigo, Andrea

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Date of Production: 2007

Venue: Teatro Regio, Parma

Playing Time: 02:25:00

Catalogue Number: A00008711

Synopsis

Luisa Miller (NTSC)

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Hailed as his first mature masterpiece, Verdi's 1849 opera Luisa Miller leaves the world of Bellini and Donizetti behind and opens the door to the realism of the three following operas, Rigoletto, La Traviata and Il Trovatore. Even though it has not become a repertoire work like its successors, the work's ensemble scenes and fluid dramaturgy have an electrifying impact on all Verdi lovers. This drama, based on Schiller's Kabale und Liebe, treats the conflicts between the two fathers and their children and between two very different social classes with a forward-looking psychological refinement. "It is a melodrama hovering between two worlds and depicts a society in transition from one to the other," says director Denis Krief. The story of the star-crossed lovers Luisa and Rodolfo fully occupies center stage in this production from the 2007 Festival Verdi in Parma, with a minimalist decor highlighted by a simple wooden table for the heroine's home and an elegant sofa for the home of the noble Walter family. As in his 2007 Nabucco from the Arena di Verona, Franco-Italian director Denis Krief pares down the production to focus on the music and, above all, the outstanding singers.

Fiorenza Cedolins heads the roster of great Verdi artists in this production. The famed soprano, who sang her first Luisa Miller at Madrid's Teatro Real in 2005, brings lightness to her coloraturas and drama to her long cantabile lines. Alvarez amazes with his effortless high notes, which are given a dignified showcase in the most celebrated romance of the work Quando le sere al placido. The great Leo Nucci "again offers a lesson in singing Verdi" (L'opera) and continues to provide his solid, mellow baritone support. Bass Giorgio Surian convincingly depicts the fury and violence of Rodolfo's father. In the pit, Maestro Donato Renzetti leads the Orchestra of the Teatro Regio di Parma with a sensitive and experienced hand.