Ernani Vervi Metro Opera

This is a historical performance. For the first time in over 100 years,the alternate finale of Act 2 is being played in a major opera house,Pavarotti receiving a well deserved ovation after the aria and cabaletta wrote by Verdi for his famous contemporary tenor, Ivanov. Mitchell and Raimondi are in superb voice, both very secure with the exposed high notes from the score. As it was only later known, this is the first performance of Milnes after his vocal chords surgery. Altough he takes a little time to warm up, he manages afterwards to bring down the house in style, with a fantastic A-flat at the end of his big aria. Levine conducts with style the orchestra and chorus,in a performance staged during the Met centenial celebrations.

This is majestic performance. Everyone here on his or her best. Pavarotti is glorious and really tragic as Ernani. I know, I'm not original here: I like Pavarotti. Milnes makes unforgettable Carlo. Silva presented by Raimondi is fabulous. Mitchell makes outstanding Leonora. Honestly, this production is something of opera's best life recorded performances that I ever saw. Levine direction is perfect. He gives the voices pop up and sound on their best. This one is whole pleasure to listen.
One more word to say about the chorus: it is one of the unforgettable. I really think that this production is one to the treasure.

The review is based on Pioneer DVD copy, serial number PC-99-102-D. God, fine, brilliant 1983 years performance from Met. All these kind of words you can decide to this cast. Definitely, it is difficult for all tenors to be in excellent shape just in first act, when tenor has big aria and scenes (the same experienced Gino Penno in live Cetra recording), but Pavarotti is better in second act with traditionally omitted aria after well-known duet with de Silva (this aria is recorded in studio by Pavarotti with Claudio Abbado on CBS label), but there is no way to hear cabaletta with chorus after aria in II act (at least I have never heard this piece!!!). And he is excellent in last final trio. Raimondi is fine de Silva, absolutely different interpretation and sonically may be much less impressive then Christoff classic performance, but with his play it become captivate. Milnes is not in top vocal shape, however he gives a very solid face of King Carlo, it is worth to listen and watch him. Although Leona Mitchell (Leonora) is bad prototype of Leontine Price, she doesn't spoil the cast. Tempos are fast, however under the sensitive and right James Levine reading everything seems beautiful. And we need to mention maestro Verdi's deep both musical and theatre talent, fully revealed him in this opera. Not in vain famous German film director and big music lover Werner Herzog used final trio in his best and great film 'Fitzcarraldo'(1982) with fantastic Klaus Kinski in title role.
Finally, I have to say a couple words about technical details of the copy, sound is terrific - beautifully recorder, as studio audio recording, picture is clear, as it should be, unlike Kultur Film (see my review of Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia on DVD) copies.
There is no way do not recommend this full version (more longer than Schippers version on RCA studio recording) of the opera performance. If you buy you will definitely love it.