VERDI: “FALSTAFF.” Juan Pons, Daniela Dessi, Roberto...

VERDI: “FALSTAFF.” Juan Pons, Daniela Dessi, Roberto Frontali, Bernadette Manca di Nissa, Maureen O’Flynn, Ramon Vargas, others; forces of La Scala, Riccardo Muti, cond. Sony S2K 58 961. Seldom has the admired Muti found a vehicle more suitable to his passion for disciplined detail, sense of orchestral color and arching expressive expansion. Taken from live performances, this riveting achievement is accomplished, moreover, with a cast containing not one truly memorable voice. However, Muti allows his singers space to bloom lyrically when the music calls for it. As the Fat Knight, Pons finds his best role, the conductor coaxing nuances not usually found in the baritone’s work. O’Flynn and Vargas, as the young lovers, are the most noteworthy, but indicative of the overall effect is the stunning result of Muti’s loving guidance of Frontali’s less than first-rate voice in “E sogno?”