Performer: Aurelio Colombo

Manuel Renga’s sensitive framing device sets up a sympathetic production of a problematic opera, but is scuppered by the central vocal performance.

L'opéra d'Ambroise Thomas bénéficie d'une très belle prise de rôle en la personne de Jérôme Boutillier. L'ensemble de la production n'est pas en reste.

Traditionally, Italy's most unforgiving loggionisti are reputed to reside at Parma's Teatro Regio. Thankfully for the cast, they appear to be a dying breed.