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Netrebko, whose voice has become infinitely more voluptuous and richer in the past few years, is not naturally suited to the belcanto repertoire. In fact, she was making her role debut as Anna Bolena. Nevertheless, she was completely convincing as the unjustly accused queen, veering between indignant fury and tender righteousness.
And she more than met her match in Jane Seymour, sung by Latvian mezzo Elina Garanca in stunning form.
Indeed, while the infinitely elegant staging by Frenchman Eric Genovese -- which had more than a touch of the Old Masters thanks to sumptuous period costumes by Luisa Spinatelli and imposing sets by Jacques Gabel and Claire Sternberg -- never seemed to provide much more than an achingly beautiful backdrop, the excellent cast sang with such seering conviction that one hardly noticed the minimalism of Genovese's direction.
Austrian mezzo Elisabeth Kulman, in the trouser role of the love-sick Smeton, has a smoky, almost husky timbre but still managed to navigate the difficult coloratura with skill and aplomb.
Italian bass-baritone Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, who had cancelled due to sickness a few days before the premiere, but decided to sing after all, sounded somewhat pale to start with, but soon found his form.
The young Italian tenor Francesco Meli sang the demanding role of Lord Percy with a youthful virility that promises great things for the future.
The Vienna State Opera Orchestra, more or less the Vienna Philharmonic in a different guise, was in unmatchable form under Italian conductor Evelino Pido.
The premiere on Saturday marked the start of the spring and summer season of Vienna's "Opera on the Square" where performances are transmitted live onto a huge screen on the side of the opera house, offering world-class performances free of charge.
The premiere was also broadcast live to 94 cinemas in Britain, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Lativa, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Russia and Spain.
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And she more than met her match in Jane Seymour, sung by Latvian mezzo Elina Garanca in stunning form.
Indeed, while the infinitely elegant staging by Frenchman Eric Genovese -- which had more than a touch of the Old Masters thanks to sumptuous period costumes by Luisa Spinatelli and imposing sets by Jacques Gabel and Claire Sternberg -- never seemed to provide much more than an achingly beautiful backdrop, the excellent cast sang with such seering conviction that one hardly noticed the minimalism of Genovese's direction.
Austrian mezzo Elisabeth Kulman, in the trouser role of the love-sick Smeton, has a smoky, almost husky timbre but still managed to navigate the difficult coloratura with skill and aplomb.
Italian bass-baritone Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, who had cancelled due to sickness a few days before the premiere, but decided to sing after all, sounded somewhat pale to start with, but soon found his form.
The young Italian tenor Francesco Meli sang the demanding role of Lord Percy with a youthful virility that promises great things for the future.
The Vienna State Opera Orchestra, more or less the Vienna Philharmonic in a different guise, was in unmatchable form under Italian conductor Evelino Pido.
The premiere on Saturday marked the start of the spring and summer season of Vienna's "Opera on the Square" where performances are transmitted live onto a huge screen on the side of the opera house, offering world-class performances free of charge.
The premiere was also broadcast live to 94 cinemas in Britain, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Lativa, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Russia and Spain.
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