Programs · Episode

VERDI: Macbeth

Program: At the Opera
Aired: Saturday, April 8, 2023 @ 6:00 pm
Hosted by Lisa Simeone

Astonishingly, of the hundreds of operas inspired by Shakespeare, only a half-dozen or so have been truly successful.  Even more remarkable is that Verdi alone accounted for three of them. His Macbeth may not be heard quite so often as Otello and Falstaff, but it's still among his finest and most intense dramas. At the Opera highlights a pair of notable recordings.  From 1984, Giuseppe Sinopoli leads a cast featuring Renato Bruson as Macbeth, and Mara Zampieri as Lady Macbeth.  And, recorded in 1976, we'll hear Piero Capucilli in the title role, and Shirley Verrett as Lady Macbeth, with conductor Claudio Abbado.

MORE ABOUT THE OPERA:

Have you ever been disappointed by the film version of a favorite novel? Ever stayed away from movies or plays based on stories from another medium because experience tells you the transition is almost never successful? If so, who could blame you?

Adapting any work of art to another genre is tricky business, and it seems the better the original the harder it is to transform it.  Perhaps, when it comes to reinterpreting true masterpieces, there are so many variables, egos and expectations involved that the whole mess just gums up the works.

In the case of Giuseppe Verdi, however, those complications simply validate his genius. Historically, the plays of Shakespeare have been notoriously difficult to translate into opera. All manner of composers have tried it, resulting in some 300 Shakespeare-based operas. Remarkably, only a half-dozen or so — about 2 percent — have even paid a visit to the standard repertory. Even more remarkably, Verdi wrote three of those: Macbeth, Otello, and Falstaff.

Macbeth was Verdi's first Shakespeare opera, and he began it late in 1846 for a production in Florence. The composer chose his stories carefully, and he had always admired Shakespeare. But this time the choice was purely practical: At the time, the only other story Verdi had in his creative pipeline needed a tenor for the lead role, and no reliable tenors were available. The title role of Macbeth called for a baritone, and one of the best baritones in Italy was at hand. So, Macbeth it was.

From the start, Verdi decided this score would be one of his best, if only in homage to its subject. He called Shakespeare's play "one of mankind's greatest creations." He worked closely with the librettist, Francesco Piave, and had a strong hand — some said a heavy hand — in casting and production decisions.  For example, Verdi vetoed the theater's first choice of sopranos to play Lady Macbeth. He said the singer they chose was too attractive, and had too pleasing a voice to play such an unsympathetic character.

On At the Opera, host Lisa Simeone presents Verdi's Macbeth in extended excerpts from two, highly effective recordings.  From 1984, Renato Bruson is sings the title role, with Mara Zampieri as Lady Macbeth, led by conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli.  Then we'll hear Piero Cappuccilli as Macbeth, and Shirley Verrett as Lady Macbeth, in a 1976 release led by Claudio Abbado.

FEATURED RECORDINGS:

Giuseppe Sinopoli, conductor

Orchestra and Chorus of the German Opera, Berlin

CAST: Renato Bruson (Macbeth); Mara Zampieri (Lady Macbeth); Robert Lloyd (Banco); Neil Shicoff (Macduff); Claes H. Ahnsjo (Malcolm); Petteri Salomaa (Doctor); Lucia Aliberti (Lady-in-Waiting)

Philips 4758393

Claudio Abbado, conductor

La Scala Orchestra and Chorus

CAST: Piero Cappuccilli (Macbeth); Shirley Verrett (Lady Macbeth); Nicolai Ghiaurov (Banco);  Antonio Savastano (Malcolm); Carlo Zardo (Doctor); Stefania Malagu (Lady-in-Waiting)

DG 449732

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