this specific production was one of the first operas i watched as a teenager, though i accidentally lost it and have not seen it for many years. after seeing it again after so long, I'm happy to report that it's even better than i remembered. you know it's an authentic italian production because two of the lead roles are played by mario and luigi

speaking of, i have yet to see a greater don than mario petri. with such an imposing countenance and arrogant singing voice it almost seems like the role was written specifically for him. as much as i also love samuel ramey as the don, it's really no contest. seeing luigi alva so young is also a treat, and proof that he was always a master of the art. don ottavio is a very brooding and serious role which slices through the otherwise comedic elements like a well honed knife, and the man delivers in spades. absolutely unparalleled

bruscantini as leporello is also excellent, he emotes very loudly without broaching absurdity which suits the role well. while i do also like his voice, i must admit that furlanetto will always be leporello to me; extremely close, mind you, but a second. gencer also does an excellent job as elvira. though i prefer a more chaotic voice for the role, she's always beyond pleasant to listen to

honestly the only casting which i consider to be weak is borst as the commendatore, but that's only because having seen kurt moll do the part knocks pretty much every other person so far out of the park that it's really not even fair. i appreciate what i assume was the artistic direction, that is to say that the vivacious and bombastic don is dragged to hell by a meek old man who once was himself great, but the execution just isn't quite there imo

some day i will make the reemo opera thread so i can stop posting all this shit here. some day