Verdi: Rigoletto

Advantages: Glorious recorded sound, a fine group of soloists
Disadvantages: Some fans may not like Sutherland in this music

...This version of Verdi's Requiem sounds absolutely terrific. The chorus has lots of presence -so important in the famous Dies Irae and the soloists are miked beautifully. The 'Hostias' and 'Ingemisco' are some of the finest recordings of Luciano Pavarotti available. Arguably he had more character by the time of his later recording from the late 80s with Riccardo Muti but he is caught here at his finest vocally with the hushed ingemisco amongst the best of that much recorded aria. Joan Sutherland's performance has been criticised quite a lot by critics that think she should not have recorded Verdi roles (similar complaints surround her Traviatas, her Leonora in Il Trovatore and her Elvira in Ernani). I really like her in this music. She is certainly preferable in my opiion to Schwarzkopf (Giulini/EMI and De Sabata (Naxos)) or Nelli... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Classic recordings from a master of his trade.
Disadvantages: Mono recordings, Crackly in parts.

...trovatore: Ah si, ben mio by Giuseppe Verdi La forza del destino: Solenne in quest' ora by Giuseppe Verdi La forza del destino: O, tu che in seno agli angeli by Giuseppe Verdi La traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici "Brindisi" by Giuseppe Verdi Macbeth: Ah, la paterna mano by Giuseppe Verdi Requiem Mass: Ingemisco by Giuseppe Verdi Otello: Ora e per sempre addio by Giuseppe Verdi Otello: Si, pel ciel marmoreo giuro! by Giuseppe Verdi Rigoletto: Questa o quella by Giuseppe Verdi Rigoletto: La donna è mobile by Giuseppe Verdi Rigoletto: Parmi veder le lagrime...Possente amor mi chiama by Giuseppe Verdi Rigoletto: Bella figlia dell' amore [Quartet] by Giuseppe Verdi Un ballo in maschera: Di' tu se fedele by Giuseppe Verdi I Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti la giubba by Ruggero Leoncavallo Stabat mater: Cujus animam by Gioachino... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: The drinking song, the melancholy oboes
Disadvantages: Long - approx 2 hrs

...La Traviata Composer: Giuseppe Verdi Libretto: Francesco Maria Piave Conductor: Sir Georg Solti Orchestra: Covent Garden Royal Opera House Orchestra Performer: Angela Gheorghiu (Soprano): Violetta Frank Lopardo (Tenor): Alfredo Leo Nucci (Baritone): Gioggio Germont Covent Garden Royal Opera House Chorus Label: Decca Released: July 1, 1995 Price: £25.99 Availability: At must good music shops Giuseppe Verdi was born on October 1813 near Busseto in North Italy. Although Verdi composed in other mediums including sacred choral works, he is best known for his Operas. La Traviata was composed in 1853. Translated as The woman gone astray, it was based on a play by Dumas (of The Three Muskateers fame). Set in Paris, it is an opera of true love. Musical Synopsis Act 1. The Parisian courtesan, Violetta, hosts a party in her... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful