Keen opera fans may sometimes be puzzled by the choice available on the shelves of the larger record shops, especially when trying to compare two stellar casts. Bellini's last (and arguably greatest) opera, I Puritani, is a case in point, with recordings by Callas and Sutherland heading the ... Read review
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Advantages: about equal! Disadvantages: high price of the Sutherland set
Keen opera fans may sometimes be puzzled by the choice available on the shelves of the larger record shops, especially when trying to compare two stellar casts. Bellini's last (and arguably greatest) opera, I Puritani, is a case in point, with recordings by Callas and Sutherland heading the list. Personally I bought both, to avoid having to choose, but each has it's merits. Callas, as always, brings greater warmth and fire to the usually pallid role ... ...joy to hear, and a young Pavarotti has a flawless technique in the infamous tenor role which defeated Caruso, complete with a hair-raising top F in his final aria. The Sutherland set also avoids the cuts made in the earlier recording, but is handicapped by Decca's greedy pricing - still at full-price after 30 years? Come on! The Callas set is of course slightly inferior in sound quality, but the impeccable credentials of Tullio Serafin may be preferred ...
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Main Performer: Bonaldo Giaiotti (Bass); Giovanni Antonini (Bass); Luciano Pavarotti (Tenor); Mino Venturini (Tenor); Mirella Fiorentini (Mezzo soprano)
Orchestra / Ensemble(s): Rome RAI Chorus; Rome RAI Orchestra
Date of Release: 12/1989
Label / Distributor: Nuova Era / Metronome
Pieces in Set: 3
Running Time: 3 hours 43 minutes
Genre(s): Stage works
Producer: Alessandro Nava
SPAR Code: ADD
Catalogue Number: 23424
Work 1
Work Title: (I) Puritani
Excerpt(s): 1. Sinfonia; ACT 1 - All'erta!<br>2. O di Cromvel guerrieri<br>3. A festa!<br>4. Or dove fuggo; Ah! per sempre; Bel sogno beato<br>5. O amato zio; O Ciel! E fia vero<br>6. Ad Arturo onore<br>7. A te, o cara<br>8. Il rito augusto<br>9. Son vergin vezzosa<br>10. Sulla verginea; Ferma invan<br>11. Arturo! Tu ritorni<br>12. Ma tu già mi fuggi<br>13. ACT 2 - Ah! dolor!<br>14. Cinta di fiori<br>15. E di morte<br>16. O rendetemi la speme; Qui la voce; Vien, diletto<br>17. Il rival salvar; Suoni la tromba<br>18. ACT 3 - Son salvo; A una fonte; La mia canzon d'amor<br>19. Son già lontani; Finì! Me lassa!; Nel mirarti un solo istante<br>20. Vieni, fra queste braccia<br>21. Ascolta ancora; Credeasi, misera.
