Il grande inquisitore che perde le staffe, gli viene un attacco e viene portato dai 2 frati come un vecchio pazzo... E io che mi sono sempre figurato il grande inquisitore come la personificazione del (cieco) potere temporale, algido, sidereo...
Furlanetto is often considered a second-tier bass. However, he performs very well, both in the role of Philip and as the Great Inquisitor. What other basses have this versatility? A few number of them, I think. In 04.02.2017 He was 67 or 68 yeras old.
I saw the two of them in the same roles at the MET in 2010. When they weren't dealing with such an ugly production and the Inquisitor didn't have to contort himself like that, they sang it much better. Furlanetto has just gotten better with age.
Halverson has some weak points, but he still has a major voice, and Furlanetto has a first-rate voice. Most importantly, they both sing with tremendous vigor and passion, making the scene thrilling. What a shame that is hampered by the ridiculous staging. I'm no big fan of the restaging of Boheme in some 1920's slum, and Rigoletto in some mafia family setting, but at least you can conceivably rework the opera's setting. However, you simply can't recreate a battle between a Spanish king and the Grand Inquisitor in some other century and circumstances. Their complex relationship is too unique to recreate anywhere else. I don't know what the intent was here, but having Philip dressed in cheap rags, and the room looking like a cheap warehouse just ruins the whole concept and drama of what they are singing about.
The staging is ridiculous -The King in rags? Operas must be staged in their original century and not in a modern buffo setting. It loses the emotional effect.
It's amazing :D Also: Filippo kinda trying to show the death sentence like "mezzo estrem" and I can absolutely imagine the Grand Inquisitor going: "well it SOUNDS like a sheet of paper" in his best Toph impression.
