Cilea - Adriana Lecouvreur Lamberto Puggelli · Gianandrea Gavazzeni · Mirella Freni ·...

This Francesco Cilea opera is a favorite with prima donnas not only for its strong vocal attractions but for its pretty death scene (the heroine is killed by a poisoned bouquet of violets) and for its backstage atmosphere filled with gossip, career-building, and complex amorous intrigues (Lecouvreur, a historic figure, was a wildly popular star of the Comedie Francaise in the 18th century). Connoisseurs love it for a subtlety and refinement of both music and libretto (including clever imitations of 18th-century musical and theatrical styles) seldom encountered in verismo opera. The mass audience, on the whole, has yet to discover it. Mirella Freni rises gracefully to the role's potential elegance, aided by sensitive conducting and staging and a competent, sometimes brilliant supporting cast. --Joe McLellan