Bellini: (I) Puritani

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 of Elvira, but Sutherland's effortless roulades and trills are a 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... Read review

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Advantages: Bellini's music. Gruberova, Kasarova, Bernardini
Disadvantages: Morosow

...like 2 parts of the same psyche debating each other. Bellini wrote some drop dead gorgeous ensemble numbers in this work. Act I ensemble finale is superbly blended, and Act II trio 'Angiol di pace' is one of the most beautiful in opera. Maestro Pinchas Steinberg leads the ORF-Symphony Orchestra in a precise and idiomatic manner, taking great care not to cover his singer while keep the tempi flowing. If you are a bel canto fan, this is a great CD recording to buy. It displays bel canto singing at its best. The sound is very good for a live recording with some coughing in the audience occasionally (not excessive, tho). There are 2 CDs. The opera is sung in Italian. Booklet contains track listing, photos of all the principals, note on the history of the opera, synopsis, and libretto in German, English and Italian.... Read review

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Advantages: The most beautiful voice ever
Disadvantages: She's not very well known

...Norma by Bellini which is the passionate story of a Druid priestess and a Roman soldier. This aria and in fact all that follow are so evocative and uplifting that you become totally immersed in the magical music and Filippa's amazingly versatile voice. It obviously would have a quite different effect on a bloke but some of the songs make me want to dress up in something floaty and dance round the room while others make me sink into deep cushions, close my eyes and dream. Other operatic arias on the album are Puccini's Vissi d'arte from Tosca and O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi; Addio del passato from Verdi's Traviata and s'apre per te il mio cuor from Samson and Dalila. In Habanera from Carmen she uses electronic voice enhancement and while purists might object I found the different approach quite entrancing. Filippa is not your... Read review

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