Gioacchino Rossini: Armida (The Metropolitan Opera Live 2010)

Renée Fleming continues her residency as “Queen of the MET” and convinces in this Bel Canto rarity with her incomparable vocal virtuosity

The four-hour opera is released on 2 DVDs. Mary Zimmerman’s production, which was written to Fleming’s specifications, impresses with imaginative sets, tasteful costumes and a fully staged ballet

It is a rare opera indeed that calls for one soprano diva and no fewer than six tenors. Mary Zimmerman’s fanciful production of Rossini’s drama, designed by Richard Hudson and with choreography by Graciela Daniele, provides the perfect setting for superstar Renée Fleming’s captivating performance of the title role. A beautiful but evil sorceress in the times of the Crusades, Armida sets out to regain the love of the Frankish knight Rinaldo (Lawrence Brownlee) by putting her magical spells on him. She at first succeeds to draw him into her web of sorcery, but ultimately divine intervention—and his fellow soldiers—free Rinaldo from his enchantment—much to the vengeful fury of Armida and her demons.