Verdi: Giovanna d'Arc. Anna Netrebko, Placido Domingo, Francesco Meli (soloists), Vienna Philharmonic Choir, Munich Radio Orchestra. Deutsche Grammophon (2 CDs)
Young Italian bel canto tenor Meli plays King Carlo VII, and Domingo is Giacomo, Giovanna's elderly father. The opera contains Verdi's lifelong fascination with father-daughter relationships. Reconciliation and redemption yield some of its most moving music but it really blossoms in a glorious final act. Joan dies on the battlefield rather than on a stake. The plot depicts Giovanna divinely inspired to rally the French against the invading English forces.
French leader Carlo becomes enamoured with her, but Giacomo becomes convinced Carlo seduced Giovanna. She is denounced to the English commanders as a witch to be burned at the stake and ''made pure'' in death. Netrebko is at her lyric best in the sublime final scene but interest will be taken in Domingo's transformation into lower register.
The voice is still immediately recognisable, with a ''bronze'' timbre and great musical feeling. This is a remarkably fine performance of a rarely performed opera, with big musical forces held together well by conductor Paolo Carignani.
The chorus moves from military marches and patriotic songs to cackling demons, with a dramatic scene depicting a battle between angels and devils over the sleeping Giovanna's soul.
Highlight: Opera delight of melodies, passion and pathos.
