ROSSINI: “LE COMTE ORY”: John Aler, Sumi...

ROSSINI: “LE COMTE ORY”: John Aler, Sumi Jo, Diana Montague, Gilles Cachemaille, Gino Quilico, singers; Lyon Opera orchestra and chorus, John Eliot Gardiner, conductor; Philips 422 406-2 (2 compact discs). This 1828 opera is virtually a by-the-numbers effort (almost half the music is borrowed from the 1825 “Viaggio a Reims”) despite a haunting second-act trio. For the most part, the score is hard and brilliant theater music, by turns melodic and witty, but without much heart or sentiment. Gardiner is rather perfunctory, leading a cast of no particular distinction. The best is Montague, whose mezzo-soprano commands a secure middle and bottom range in addition to an exceptionally free and open top. Aler, as the protagonist, is adequate until he uses chest voice above the staff, resulting in an ugly sound. Jo, one of the last Karajan protegees, discloses a pleasantly chirpy, agile soprano and sings in unintelligible French. Cachemaille seems to have no low notes or trills. Excellent notes by Philip Gossett.