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Opera DVDs Featuring Alessandro Corbelli
By an Amazon.com customer
Rossini - La CenerentolaRossini - La Cenerentola
Buy new: $18.97 / Used from: $12.74
Having worked on the musical preparation of this particular production, I speak as an eye- and ear-witness. Here is Corbelli in an exemplary performance of one of his greatest roles. He is now singing many Magnificos, but Dandini made him a star, with good reason.
Rossini - La Scala di Seta / Luciana Serra, David Kuebler, Alessandro Corbelli, Alberto Rinaldi, Jane Bunnell, David Griffith, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Schwetzingen OperaRossini - La Scala di Seta / Luciana Serra, David Kuebler, Alessandro Corbelli, Alberto Rinaldi, Jane Bunnell, David Griffith, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Schwetzingen Opera
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $24.66
Of Corbelli's roles, Germano is in my opinion one of his best characterizations. He manages to straddle the fine line between comedy and pathos, all the while handling the role's exacting vocal demands with seeming ease. Absolutely stunning coloratura, unmatched by any male singer; and wonderful cantibile in his aria and duet with Giulia.
Puccini - Gianni Schicchi / Corbelli, Palmer, Giordano, Matthews, McLaughlin, Jurowski, Glyndebourne OperaPuccini - Gianni Schicchi / Corbelli, Palmer, Giordano, Matthews, McLaughlin, Jurowski, Glyndebourne Opera
Buy new: $22.49 / Used from: $16.00
Corbelli will certainly go down in operatic history as one of the great Schicchis. Wonderful as this performance is, his performance at the Met was perhaps even more so (as of this date, not available on DVD); but this Glyndebourne DVD more than suffices for now. Don't expect as large a voice as past Schicchis, but do expect a prime example of vocal intelligence and comic mastery.
Rossini - L'Italiana in AlgeriRossini - L'Italiana in Algeri
Buy new: $29.49 / Used from: $24.41
Taddeo is another role that Corbelli has performed extensively and to great acclaim. (There is also a wonderful CD.) My only complaint is that much of the time, poor Taddeo (in this particular staging) is made to sit on someone's shoulders.
Donizetti - Don Pasquale / Corbelli, Mei, De Candia, Siragusa, Gatti, Korsten, Teatro Lirico CagliariDonizetti - Don Pasquale / Corbelli, Mei, De Candia, Siragusa, Gatti, Korsten, Teatro Lirico Cagliari
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Corbelli is known for having sung more than one role in the same opera, and here is an example. After numerous Malatestas (there a live recording from the late 80's), and after acquiring a little more vocal heft, Corbelli decided to add the title role to his repertoire, and with considerable success.
Rossini - Il Signor Bruschino / Alessandro Corbelli, Amelia Felle, David Kuebler, Alberto Rinaldi, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Schwetzingen OperaRossini - Il Signor Bruschino / Alessandro Corbelli, Amelia Felle, David Kuebler, Alberto Rinaldi, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Schwetzingen Opera
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $24.66
The 80's were not the best vocal years for Corbelli, but by 1989, which was the year of this production, he was getting back on track. His opening aria is perhaps a bit rough, but the rest of his performance, particularly the lovely duet with Felle, is fine.
Rossini - L'Occasione fa il Ladro (Opportunity Makes the Thief)Rossini - L'Occasione fa il Ladro (Opportunity Makes the Thief)
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A smaller role, but as usual, he squeezes every ounce.
Mozart - Cosi fan Tutte / Dessi, Ziegler, Corbelli, Scarabelli, Kundlak, Desderi; Muti, La Scala OperaMozart - Cosi fan Tutte / Dessi, Ziegler, Corbelli, Scarabelli, Kundlak, Desderi; Muti, La Scala Opera
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $8.00
Very early video, he is Guglielmo (there is also a CD). He is now one the world's greatest Alfonsos, and there is a new DVD from Vienna (also with Muti) of his Alfonso, but so far it can only be had through amazon.co.uk. (All regions) His Guglielmo is well sung, but he's better as Alfonso.
Pergolesi - Lo Frate 'Nnamorato / Corbelli, Focile, Norberg-Schulz, di Nissa, D¿Intino, Felle, Muti, La Scala OperaPergolesi - Lo Frate 'Nnamorato / Corbelli, Focile, Norberg-Schulz, di Nissa, D¿Intino, Felle, Muti, La Scala Opera
Buy new: $17.99 / Used from: $8.84
Again, one of his earliest videos, and a welcome rarity. It is nice to hear an entire opera sung in Neopolitan dialect. The role of Marcaniello is a rather exacting one, both vocally and physically, and Corbelli handles both aspects with his customary aplomb.
Giordano - FedoraGiordano - Fedora
Buy new: $26.99 / Used from: $19.95
De Sirieux is not a typical Corbelli role, and I believe this was his only outing of it. He handles it well, but the voice during this phase of his career was a bit too light for Giordano's orchestration.
Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du regiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007)Gaetano Donizetti - La Fille du regiment / Dessay, Florez, Palmer, Corbelli, French, Campanella, Pelly (Royal Opera House 2007)
Buy new: $17.97 / Used from: $17.11
A delightful production of this operatic French eclair, boasting an all-star cast. Everyone is marvelous.
Massenet: Don Quichotte [DVD Video]Massenet: Don Quichotte [DVD Video]
Buy new: $48.49 / Used from: $36.94
Sancho is a very recent addition to Corbelli's vast and varied repertoire. He brightens the proceedings in an otherwise static and dimly lit production. The audio quality of this DVD is not the best.