Details

Field of Interest

Classical Music

Composer

Giuseppe Verdi, 1813-1901

Conductor

Sir Antonio 'Tony' Pappano, 1959-

Content Type

Music recording

Duration

2 hours 22 mins

Recording Engineer

Jonathan Alolen

Ensemble

London Voices, London Symphony Orchestra (LSO)

Format

Audio

Sub Genre

Opera

Label

Warner Music

Performer

Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, Angela Gheorghiu, Federica Proietti, Thomas Hampson, 1955-, Roberto Alagna, 1963-, Larissa Diadkova, 1955-, Riccardo Simonetti, Andrew Busher, Enrico Facini

UPC (Physical)

_Digital_Only

Producer

David Groves

Date Recorded

2001

Release Date

2005-11-28

Review

This live recording of Il Trovatore was made on a tour by La Scala in Moscow in 1964, and it has the kind of old-fashioned, blood-red passion that was perhaps only possible with all-Italian casts. Its level of intensity, even wildness, accentuates the plot's melodramatic qualities and makes it hugely compelling. Of the principals, only Giulietta Simionato as {%Azucena} is vocally inconsistent. Dramatically, its possible to forgive her since she is in fact portraying an old woman, but she doesn't begin with performance with the ideal power, although she grows vocally more secure as the performance progresses, and by the last act she is completely engaging, giving full voice to her character's rage. Gabriella Tucci is an utterly radiant {%Leonora}; her voice soars thrillingly in an impassioned performance. Carlo Bergonzi is an exemplary {%Manrico}, tender and stalwart, singing with a bright, warm, ringing tone. Piero Cappuccilli's {%di Luna} is somewhat diffident; although he is fully vocally adequate, his performance lacks the menace to be fully convincing. Ivo Vinco, on the other hand, offers a vocally and dramatically charged portrayal of {%Ferrando}. Gianandrea Gavazzeni leads the La Scala orchestra and chorus in a blazing, idiomatic, and deeply committed reading of the score. The sound is decidedly mediocre, especially toward the beginning of the opera. The stereo blend is erratic; sometimes all the sound seems to be coming out of only one speaker, but sometimes it's fine. There's generally good balance between the singers and orchestra. The level of ancillary noise is often distracting; in some of the quieter sections it's possible to hear distinct talking in the background. On the basis of Gavazzeni's riveting leadership, and especially Tucci's and Bergonzi's gripping, stellar performances, this is a version that any fan of the passion and abandon of the golden age of bel canto singing will want to investigate. ~ Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

Subject

Classical Music, Music & Performing Arts, Romantic, Romanticismo, Romantica, Romantic

Keywords and Translated Subjects

Romanticismo, Romantica