Rossini Otello (2014)

• 77%
• 2014
• John Osborn
• Cecilia Bartoli
• Edgardo Rocha

This new disc from the Zurich Opera presents just about as thoughtful and coherent account of Rossini's Othello as one could hope for. This isn ' t the first time the company has made something of a splash with the bel canto repertoire. Some will remember their release-CD, a few years back, of Bellini ' s Norma, also mit Bartoli. That set got very mixed reviews, and those who hated that will probably hate this too, no doubt before they even watch it. But for those not initiated in the trench warfare that music loving often attracts this disc will be most welcome. The world class cast, led by Cecilia Bartoli and tenor John Osborn, are (mostly) young, committed and talentierter mann. They deliver, here, an intensiven performance that makes a very strong case for this neglected werk.