Verdi - Attila (Andrea Battistoni) HD Verdi Theatre, Busetto, October 2010

Attila by Giuseppe Verdi 
Performer:  Cristiano Cremonini (Tenor), Susanna Branchini (Soprano), Giovanni Battista Parodi (Baritone), 
Sebastian Catana (Baritone), Roberto De Biasio (Tenor) 
Conductor:  Andrea Battistoni 
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Parma Teatro Regio Orchestra,  Parma Teatro Regio Chorus 
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1846; Italy 

"In such a small theatre it is difficult to assess the absolute qualities of the soloists. Suffice to say that there are no evident weaknesses. In the title role Giovanni Battista Parodi is sonorous and generally steady with an imposing physical presence. He is matched by his opponent Ezio, sung with tonal strength and excellent characterisation by the Romanian baritone, Sebastián Catana. As the feisty Odabella, Susanna Branchini is a revelation. She sounds like the genuine article: a dramatic Verdi soprano. Rather like the young Elena Suliotis she tends to fling her voice with abandon and the effect is electric. I would like to hear her in a larger theatre. Roberto De Biasio features on several of the issues in this series. I have noted in my review of his singing of the role of the young Foscari in the performance of I Due Foscari(review in hand) his is a voice of much promise with a pleasing clear timbre. He often makes an effort at expression as well as singing mezza voceand sotto vocewhen appropriate. As in that 2009 performance, he still lacks elegance of phrasing but I hope that aspect will develop. On the plus side he does not shout, varying his modulation to the music and words; virtues not exhibited by every contemporaneous tenor in the Verdi repertoire."

Read more: http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Feb13/Verdi_Atilla_721704.htm#ixzz5c8ubajWI