Bellini: La sonnambula -
This is an odd performance, not altogether satisfying (and certainly not up to the level
... more
of Giulini's magnificent EMI recording with Wächter and Sutherland), but with much to offer. Nicolai Giaurov is in his most luxurious voice as the Don, and Sesto Bruscantini is a fine foil for him as Leporello, savouring the text and singing with great style. Alfredo Kraus's Don Ottavio is very classy indeed and Sena Jurinac's Donna Elvira is well characterised. Giulini leads the somewhat wayward but always willing Roman forces in a good show.--Robert Levine
Main Performer: Dino Mantovani (Baritone); Dominic Martelli (Treble/boy soprano); Fiorenza Cossotto (Mezzo soprano); Franco Ricciardi (Tenor); Maria Callas (Soprano)
Orchestra / Ensemble(s): Piccola Sinfonica di Milano Orchestra
Date of Release: 23/06/2008
Label / Distributor: Testament / Testament
Pieces in Set: 2
Genre(s): Stage works
Stereo: Stereo
EAN: 749677141721
Work 1
Work Title: (La) Sonnambula
Excerpt(s): 1. ACT 1 - Viva Amina! 2. Tutto è gioia 3. In Elvezia non v'ha rosa 4. Care compagne; A te, diletta tenera madre; Come per me sereno; Sovra il sen 5. Io più di tutti, o Amina 6. Perdono, o mia diletta; Elvin, che rechi?; Prendi, l'anel ti dono; Ah! vorrei trovar parole 7. Qual rumore; Il mulino!; Vi ravviso, o luoghi ameni; Tu non sai con quei begli occhi 8. Contezza del paese avete voi, Signor; A fosco cielo, a notte bruna; Basta così 9. Elvino! E me tu lasci; Son geloso del zefiro errante 10. Davver, non mi dispiace 11. Che veggio? 12. Osservate! L'uscio è aperto 13. È menzogna 14. D'un pensiero e d'un accento; Non più nozze 15. ACT 2 - Qui la selva è più folta 16. Reggimi, o buono madre; Tutto è sciolto; Pasci il guardo e appaga l'alma 17. Viva il Conte!; Ah! perchè non posso odiarti 18. Lasciami: aver compreso; De'lieti auguri a voi son grata 19. Signor Conte, agli occhi miei; V'han certuni che dormendo; Piano, amici, non gridate 20. Lisa mendace anch'essa! 21. Signor, che creder deggio?; Chi? Mira...ella stessa 22. Oh! se una volta sola; Ah! non credea mirarti; Ah! non giunge 23. Oh! se una volta sola rivederlo; Ah! non credea mirarti; Ah! non giunge uman pensiero
Composer: Vincenzo Bellini (1801 - 1835)
Genre: Stage works
Date Written: 1831
Conductor: Antonino Votto
Orchestra / Ensemble: Piccola Sinfonica di Milano Orchestra
...Among the Bellini operas, Beatrice di Tenda may not be as compelling musically as Norma or LaSonnambula, but it contains some of bel canto's most beautiful tunes and one of the most beautiful trio ever written.
THE STORY:
Filippo, the Duke of Milan, is married to Beatrice, but covets her lady in waiting Agnese. He plots to get his wife out of the way by accusing her of having an affair with Orombello (whom Agnese loves, but who is in love with Beatrice). Agnese backs the false charge, thinking that if she can't have Orombello then she doesn't want Beatrice to have him either. A few changes of heart follow in the course of the opera, but Beatrice is the constant good gal who gains a moral victory at the price of her own head.
This is a live CD recording from a performance in Vienna in 1992 conducted by Pinchas Steinberg...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Virtuosic operatic vocalism, unusual repertoire, mad scenes... Disadvantages: Fleming's voice is maybe not best suited for this...
...in the early 19th century then this is as good a place to start as any.
Tracks 1-3 - Vincenzo Bellini, (1801-1835) "Lasonnambula", Scena ed Aria finale, Act 2.
In this aria slightly dotty heroine Armina is out sleepwalking as usual and sings dreamily away as she balances precariously over a stream. She sings of her true love, proving that she didn't really set out to seduce another male aristocrat earlier in the opera and when woken by the local village maidens bursts into a very virtuosic finale, (which goes to prove the medical advice you shouldn't waken people who are sleepwalking.)
Unfortunately although it is placed first on the disc as an obvious real curtain-opener due to its renowned status in the bel canto repertoire, it doesn't fulfil this role at all in my opinion. There is a lot of emotional musing from the soprano...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: A few really good tracks, some De La Soul tunes you have never heard before Disadvantages: The album has no flow, a few weak remixes
...***Warning*** This review does contain some edited adult language and themes. The words have been changed but the meaning is plain.
In the stacks of wax you can find the De La Mix: Remixes, Rarities & Classics, De La Soul's 2004 release on Tommy Boy/ Rhino. This is not so much a greatest hits as it is a revisiting in an alternate universe. Both commercial and critical successes are treated to a fresh dusting off, live performance or remix on this disk.
Laying down the Knowledge
For those of you that don't already know, De La Soul has been around since rap was just rap. Hip hop was just starting to take root as a music genre. There was just rap. When the boys from Long Island hit the scene there was the rap that played on the radio and the rap we listened to when our parents were out of ear shot. De La dropped 3 Feet High...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
very helpful 15.10.2005
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