Kasarova vs DiDonato

Vasselina Kasarova e Joyce Didinato, duas das mais distintas mezzo’s da actualidade, confrontam-se em Handel.



Eis as opiniões de Tim Ashley (Guardian):

«Her programme focuses on arias written for Giovanni Carestini, one of Handel's favourite castratos. It gives her the finer music, the greater opportunities for subtle dramatic display, and allows her both to do what she does best and to avoid the mannerisms that have marred her recent performances. (…) There's a preponderance of slow arias, which were Carestini's forte, but this is singing of great nobility and expressive power, accompanied by instrumental work of exceptional dignity from Il Complesso Barocco. Deeply touching and highly recommended.» (Sento Brillar, Kasarova, RCA)

«The problems derive from the fact that one Handelian tantrum sounds very much like another. Anyone approaching DiDonato for the first time by way of this disc would take away the impression that her principal abilities consist in hurling coloratura around like weaponry and snarling a lot. We know her to be capable of more than that, though on the rare occasions when she sings something slow and reflective, the results are curiously bland. Ariodante's Scherza Infida, for instance, though beautiful, is short on grief and pain.» (Furore, Didonato, Virgin Classics)

A avaliar pelas impressões do citado senhor, Kasarova leva a melhor sobre Didonato!

Ou muito me engano ou estes dois registos jamais serão comercializados neste jardim à beira mar plantado, desafortunadamente periférico (pelo menos musicalmente).