Oberto conte di San Bonifacio - Giuseppe Verdi
Information about the opera Oberto conte di San Bonifacio by Giuseppe Verdi, and the best recordings available on CD or DVD, or for download.
Verdi's first opera, written when he was 26, received its premiere at La Scala, Milan, and was moderately successful. More Rossini than Verdi, it nevertheless gives glimpses of what's to come in his greater works.
Recommended recordings on CD
Gardelli/Panerai/Browner (Orfeo 105842)
Bavarian Radio Chorus, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Lamberto Gardelli, 3/1983.
Cast: Rolando Panerai (Oberto), Alison Browner (Leonora), Carlo Bergonzi (Riccardo), Ruza Baldani (Imelda), Ghena Dimitrova (Cuniza).
Orfeo 105842
Recommended recordings on DVD
Allemandi/Parodi/Sass (C Major 720008)
Recorded live at the Teatro Verdi di Busseto in 2007, this is an enjoyable period production with fine performances from the main characters.
Parma Teatro Regio Chorus, Parma Teatro Regio Orchestra, conducted by Antonello Allemandi, 2007.
Cast: Giovanni Battista Parodi (Oberto), Francesca Sass (Leonora), Fabio Sartori (Riccardo), Giorgia Bertagni (Imelda), Mariana Pentcheva (Cuniza).
C Major 720008
Abel/Abdrazakov/Herlitzius (Opus Arte OA 0982 D)
Recorded live in Bilbao in January 2007.
Bilbao Opera Chorus, Asturias Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Yves Abel, 2007.
Cast: Ildar Abdrazakov (Oberto), Evelyn Herlitzius (Leonora), Carlo Ventre (Riccardo), Nuria Lorenzo (Imelda), Marianne Cornetti (Cuniza).
Opus Arte OA 0982 D