Verdi La Traviata
A collection of fine (mainly) operatic performances, in superlative transfers, which belie their very modest price
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Genre:
Opera
Label: Double Forte
Magazine Review Date: 9/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 143
Catalogue Number: 573848-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Idomeneo, Re di Creta, 'Idomeneo, King of Crete' |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
Glyndebourne Festival Chorus Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra Hervey Alan, Voice of Neptune, Baritone James Milligan, Arbace, Baritone John Pritchard, Conductor Léopold Simoneau, Idamante, Tenor Lucille Udovick, Elettra, Soprano Richard Lewis, Idomeneo, Tenor Sena Jurinac, Ilia, Soprano William McAlpine, High Priest, Tenor Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer |
Composer or Director: Johann Strauss II
Genre:
Opera
Label: Double Forte
Magazine Review Date: 9/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 113
Catalogue Number: 573851-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (Die) Fledermaus, '(The) Bat' |
Johann Strauss II, Composer
Anton Dermota, Alfred, Tenor Christa Ludwig, Prince Orlofsky, Mezzo soprano Eberhard Wächter, Doctor Falke, Baritone Erich Kunz, Frosch, Speaker Erich Majkut, Doctor Blind, Tenor Fred Liewehr, Eisenstein, Tenor Gerda Scheyrer, Rosalinde, Soprano Johann Strauss II, Composer Karl Terkal, Eisenstein, Tenor Luise Martini, Ida, Soprano Otto Ackermann, Conductor Philharmonia Chorus Philharmonia Orchestra Walter Berry, Frank, Baritone Wilma Lipp, Adele, Soprano |
Composer or Director: Giuseppe Verdi
Genre:
Opera
Label: Double Forte
Magazine Review Date: 9/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 0
Catalogue Number: 573824-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (La) traviata |
Giuseppe Verdi, Composer
Bonaldo Giaiotti, Doctor, Bass Carlo del Monte, Alfredo Germont, Tenor Giuseppe Verdi, Composer Mario Sereni, Giorgio Germont, Baritone Renato Ercolani, Giuseppe, Tenor Rome Opera Chorus Rome Opera Orchestra Santa Chissari, Flora, Mezzo soprano Sergio Tedesco, Gastone, Tenor Silvio Maionica, Marquis, Bass Sylvia Bertona, Annina, Soprano Tullio Serafin, Conductor Vico Polotto, Baron, Baritone Victoria de los Ángeles, Violetta, Soprano |
Composer or Director: Claudio Monteverdi
Genre:
Opera
Label: Double Forte
Magazine Review Date: 9/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 142
Mastering:
Stereo
ADD
Catalogue Number: 573842-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (L')Incoronazione di Poppea, '(The) Coronation of Poppea' |
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
Annon Lee Silver, Love Carlo Cava, Seneca, Bass Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Duncan Robertson, Valletto, Soprano Frances Bible, Ottavia, Soprano Glyndebourne Festival Chorus Hugues Cuénod, Lucano, Tenor John Pritchard, Conductor Lydia Marimpietri, Drusilla, Soprano Magda László, Poppea, Soprano Oralia Dominguez, Arnalta, Contralto (Female alto) Richard Lewis, Nerone, Soprano Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Soo-Bee Lee, Damigella, Soprano Walter Alberti, Ottone, Mezzo soprano |
| Madrigals, Book 3 (Il terzo libro de madrigali), Movement: Ch'io non t'ami, cor mio (wds. Guarini) |
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
April Cantelo, Soprano Barry Banks, Aronne, Tenor Bruce Ford, Osiride, Tenor Bruce Ford, Rinaldo, Tenor Bruce Ford, Osiride, Tenor Bruce Ford, Osiride, Tenor Bruce Ford, Rinaldo, Tenor Bruce Ford, Rinaldo, Tenor Christian du Plessis, Cecil, Baritone Christopher Keyte, Bass Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Eileen Poulter, Soprano English Chamber Orchestra Gerald English, Tenor Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Louis Quilico, Talbot, Baritone Nelly Miricioiu, Armida, Soprano Nelly Miricioiu, Elcia, Soprano Nelly Miricioiu, Elcia, Soprano Nelly Miricioiu, Armida, Soprano Nelly Miricioiu, Armida, Soprano Nelly Miricioiu, Elcia, Soprano Patrizia Biccire, Amaltea, Soprano Paul Austin Kelly, Ubaldo, Tenor Raymond Leppard, Conductor Robert Tear, Tenor Stuart Burrows, Leicester, Tenor Stuart Burrows, Leicester, Tenor Stuart Burrows, Leicester, Tenor William Matteuzzi, Carlo, Tenor |
| Madrigals, Book 4 (Il quarto libro de madrigali), Movement: Io mi son giovinetta |
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
Anna Reynolds, Flosshilde, Mezzo soprano Anna Reynolds, Flosshilde, Soprano Anna Reynolds, Flosshilde, Soprano April Cantelo, Soprano Christopher Keyte, Bass Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Daniza Mastilovic, Helmwige, Soprano Edda Moser, Wellgunde, Soprano Edda Moser, Wellgunde, Soprano Edda Moser, Wellgunde, Soprano Eileen Poulter, Soprano English Chamber Orchestra Gerald English, Tenor Gundula Janowitz, Sieglinde, Soprano Gundula Janowitz, Sieglinde, Soprano Gundula Janowitz, Sieglinde, Soprano Helen Donath, Woglinde, Soprano Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Jon Vickers, Siegmund, Tenor Karl Ridderbusch, Fafner, Bass Karl Ridderbusch, Fafner, Bass Karl Ridderbusch, Fafner, Bass Liselotte Rebmann, Gerhilde, Soprano Liselotte Rebmann, Gerhilde, Soprano Liselotte Rebmann, Gerhilde, Soprano Martti Talvela, Hunding, Bass Martti Talvela, Hunding, Bass Martti Talvela, Hunding, Bass Raymond Leppard, Conductor Robert Tear, Tenor Simone Mangelsdorff, Freia, Soprano Zoltan Kélémen, Alberich, Baritone Zoltan Kélémen, Alberich, Baritone Zoltan Kélémen, Alberich, Baritone |
| Madrigals, Book 4 (Il quarto libro de madrigali), Movement: Ohimè, se tanto amate (wds. Guarini) |
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
April Cantelo, Soprano Christopher Keyte, Bass Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Wotan, Baritone Donald Grobe, Froh, Tenor Eileen Poulter, Soprano English Chamber Orchestra Erwin Wohlfahrt, Mime, Tenor Gerald English, Tenor Gerhard Stolze, Loge, Tenor Gerhard Stolze, Loge, Tenor Gerhard Stolze, Loge, Tenor Hans Hopf, Fra Diavolo, Tenor Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Josephine Veasey, Fricka, Soprano Josephine Veasey, Fricka, Soprano Josephine Veasey, Fricka, Mezzo soprano Karl Wessely, Beppo, Tenor Kurt Böhme, Giacomo, Baritone Martti Talvela, Fasolt, Bass Martti Talvela, Fasolt, Bass Martti Talvela, Fasolt, Bass Oralia Dominguez, Erda, Contralto (Female alto) Oralia Dominguez, Erda, Mezzo soprano Oralia Dominguez, Erda, Mezzo soprano Raymond Leppard, Conductor Robert Kerns, Donner, Tenor Robert Tear, Tenor |
| Madrigals, Book 6 (Il sesto libro de madrigali), Movement: Lamento d'Arianna: Lasciatemi morire (wds. Rinucci |
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
April Cantelo, Soprano Christopher Keyte, Bass Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Eileen Poulter, Soprano English Chamber Orchestra Ernesto Palmerini, Shepherd Boy, Treble/boy soprano Ezio Giordano, Mandarin, Baritone Fernando Corena, Ping, Baritone Fernando Corena, Ping, Baritone Fernando Corena, Ping, Baritone Gaetano Fanelli, Emperor Altoum, Tenor Gerald English, Tenor Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Inge Borkh, Turandot, Soprano Mario Carlin, Pang, Tenor Mario Carlin, Pang, Tenor Mario Carlin, Pang, Tenor Mario Del Monaco, Calaf, Tenor Mario Del Monaco, Calaf, Tenor Mario Del Monaco, Calaf, Tenor Mario Rinaudo, Ataliba, Bass Nicola Zaccaria, Timur, Bass Raymond Leppard, Conductor Renata Tebaldi, Liù, Soprano Renata Tebaldi, Liù, Soprano Renata Tebaldi, Liù, Soprano Renato Ercolani, Pong, Tenor Robert Tear, Tenor |
| Madrigals, Book 6 (Il sesto libro de madrigali), Movement: A quest'olmo (Wds. Marini) |
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
Adelio Zagonara, Dancing Master, Tenor Angelo Mercuriali, Lamplighter, Tenor Angelo Mercuriali, Lamplighter, Tenor Angelo Mercuriali, Lamplighter, Tenor Antonio Sacchetti, Innkeeper; Sergeant, Tenor April Cantelo, Soprano Christopher Keyte, Bass Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Dario Caselli, Captain, Bass Dario Caselli, Captain, Baritone Dario Caselli, Captain, Baritone Eileen Poulter, Soprano English Chamber Orchestra Fernando Corena, Sacristan, Baritone Fernando Corena, Sacristan, Baritone Fernando Corena, Sacristan, Bass George London, Scarpia, Baritone Gerald English, Tenor Giovanni Morese, Sciarrone, Bass Giovanni Morese, Gaoler, Bass Giovanni Morese, Sciarrone, Bass Giovanni Morese, Gaoler, Bass Giovanni Morese, Gaoler, Bass Giovanni Morese, Sciarrone, Bass Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Piero de Palma, Spoletta, Tenor Piero de Palma, Spoletta, Tenor Piero de Palma, Spoletta, Tenor Raymond Leppard, Conductor Renata Tebaldi, Tosca, Soprano Renata Tebaldi, Tosca, Soprano Renata Tebaldi, Tosca, Soprano Robert Tear, Tenor Silvio Maionica, Angelotti, Baritone Silvio Maionica, Angelotti, Bass Silvio Maionica, Angelotti, Baritone |
| Madrigals, Book 7 (Concerto: settimo libro de madr, Movement: Al lume delle stelle (wds. Tasso) |
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
April Cantelo, Soprano Carmen Reppel, Gerhilde, Soprano Carmen Reppel, Gerhilde, Soprano Carmen Reppel, Gerhilde, Soprano Christopher Keyte, Bass Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Donald McIntyre, Wanderer, Bass-baritone Donald McIntyre, Wanderer, Bass-baritone Donald McIntyre, Wanderer, Bass-baritone Eileen Poulter, Soprano English Chamber Orchestra Gabriele Schnaut, Waltraute, Mezzo soprano Gabriele Schnaut, Waltraute, Soprano Gabriele Schnaut, Waltraute, Soprano Gerald English, Tenor Hanna Schwarz, Fricka, Mezzo soprano Hanna Schwarz, Fricka, Soprano Hanna Schwarz, Fricka, Soprano Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Ilse Gramatzki, Wellgunde, Soprano Ilse Gramatzki, Wellgunde, Soprano Ilse Gramatzki, Wellgunde, Soprano Jeannine Altmeyer, Sieglinde, Soprano Jeannine Altmeyer, Sieglinde, Soprano Jeannine Altmeyer, Sieglinde, Soprano Karen Middleton, Ortlinde, Soprano Katie Clarke, Helmwige, Soprano Katie Clarke, Helmwige, Soprano Katie Clarke, Helmwige, Soprano Marga Schiml, Flosshilde, Mezzo soprano Marga Schiml, Flosshilde, Soprano Marga Schiml, Flosshilde, Soprano Matti Salminen, Hunding, Bass Matti Salminen, Hunding, Bass Matti Salminen, Hunding, Bass Peter Hofmann, Siegmund, Tenor Raymond Leppard, Conductor Robert Tear, Tenor |
| Madrigals, Book 8 (Madrigali guerrieri et amorosi., Movement: Il ballo (per l'Imperatore Ferdinando) |
Claudio Monteverdi, Composer
Adelio Zagonara, Gherardo, Tenor Anna Maria Canali, Zita, Contralto (Female alto) April Cantelo, Soprano Bülent Bezdüz, Pang, Tenor Carlo Bosi, Pong, Tenor Carlo del Monte, Rinuccio, Tenor Christopher Keyte, Bass Claudio Monteverdi, Composer Dario Volonté, Calaf, Tenor Domenico Balzani, Ping, Baritone Eileen Poulter, Soprano English Chamber Orchestra Gerald English, Tenor Helen Watts, Contralto (Female alto) Maria Fontosh, Liù, Soprano Mario Luperi, Timur, Bass Raymond Leppard, Conductor Robert Tear, Tenor Tito Gobbi, Gianni Schicchi, Baritone Victoria de los Ángeles, Lauretta, Soprano |
Composer or Director: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Genre:
Opera
Label: Gemini
Magazine Review Date: 9/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 158
Mastering:
Stereo
ADD
Catalogue Number: 573845-2
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| (Le) nozze di Figaro, '(The) Marriage of Figaro' |
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer
Daniel McCoshan, Don Curzio, Tenor Franco Calabrese, Count Almaviva, Baritone Glyndebourne Festival Chorus Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra Graziella Sciutti, Susanna, Soprano Gwyn Griffiths, Antonio, Bass Hugues Cuénod, Don Basilio, Tenor Ian Wallace, Bartolo, Bass Jeannette Sinclair, Barbarina, Soprano Monica Sinclair, Marcellina, Soprano Risë Stevens, Cherubino, Mezzo soprano Sena Jurinac, Countess Almaviva, Soprano Sesto Bruscantini, Figaro, Bass Vittorio Gui, Conductor Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Composer |
Author: Ivan March
The EMI Double Forte series has always been excellent value, a pair of CDs being offered for the cost of one full-priced disc, but these latest operatic ventures are even more remarkably inexpensive when you consider the price of a visit to the opera.
On record, though, it’s the quality of the singing that counts even more than the price, and that is often where super-bargain opera issues come unstuck. There is no such problem with any of the sets on offer here, however.
When it was first issued in 1964, Sir John Pritchard’s abridged Glyndebourne version ofL’incoronazione di Poppea was the first of Monteverdi’s operas to be recorded in stereo in a performance of any calibre. Moreover, Raymond Leppard’s modern-instrument edition looked forward as well as back in its imaginative continuo, using a pair each of harpsichords, organs and cellos, plus lute, guitar and harp for the continuo group. What is immediately apparent, however, is the richness of the string sound.
The casting is strong, with Carlo Cava a noble and vocally rich Seneca. Frances Bible as Ottavia and Walter Alberti as Ottone characterise equally admirably, while Lydia Marimpietri is an unforgettable Drusilla. Even the unique Hugues Cuenod briefly and bizarrely makes his mark as Lucano. John Pritchard coaxes beguilingly baroque textures from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Glyndebourne Chorus make a few notable contributions, especially in the scene of Seneca’s farewell. The stars of the piece, Richard Lewis and Magda Laszlo, are in splendid voice, and their final love duet comes as a moving end to a great opera. The recording really is remarkably opulent, and this is greatly enjoyable.
As a bonus comes a collection of madrigals, recorded three years later with an entirely different cast, but the choice of a group of soloists for this repertoire proves not to be the best way to integrate the complex part-writing smoothly. Fortunately the key number, the beautiful ‘Lamento d’Arianna’, is successful, and this comes as the final item. However, these performances certainly do not lack character. In the opera no texts are given, but there is a detailed, cued synopsis (there are no texts and translations for the madrigals).
The similar Glyndebourne-derived recording of Idomeneo, made in 1955, was also a first because, although it used a severely cut text, it offered more music on disc than ever before. Although the orchestral sound could be more expansive, it does not sound too dated, and the voices are natural. Sena Jurinac is the star as a ravishing Ilia, Richard Lewis sings stirringly in the title-role, and Leopold Simoneau is a refined tenor Idamante. The cuts mean that the whole opera fits comfortably onto two discs. Again, a similar untitled, cued synopsis is provided.
The other Mozart opera is the pick of the bunch – another Glyndebourne set, but a glowingly effervescent performance that, under Gui, never puts a vocal foot wrong. Bruscantini is the perfect, traditional Figaro to contrast with Graziella Sciutti’s sparklingly seductive Susanna, Calabrese is a strong Count, and Rise Stevens has an individuality which makes her a distinctive Cherubino. Ian Wallace is a natural for Bartolo, and Hugues Cuenod is back again in inimitable form to portray Don Basilio. But the linchpin is the glorious, archetypal Countess of Sena Jurinac. The recording quality is warm and smooth. There is a (very minor) cut to fit the recording onto two discs, and again there is no libretto, and here it is a real drawback that the cued synopsis does not name the arias and ensembles.
What strikes one immediately in Die Fledermaus, apart from the vividly idiomatic Philharmonia performance of the overture, is the theatrical atmosphere of the recording itself, from the opening scene onwards. Among the women, Wilma Lipp’s delicious Adele stands out and Christa Ludwig is an unexpectedly characterful Orlofsky. Gerda Scheyrer’s Rosalinde is less vocally accomplished, but all the men are good and the whole opera lilts along warmly and engagingly under Ackermann’s understanding Viennese baton. Here, again, the want of a translation is a great drawback, particularly in Frosch’s famous comic scene in Act 3, but Erich Kunz is splendid in the role.
Finally there’s the enchanting Violetta Valery of Victoria de los Angeles. She made this recording in the late ’50s, and her voice sounds wonderfully fresh, not least in the glittering coloratura of Act 1. She is also a touchingly tender heroine, and though neither Carlo del Monte nor Mario Sereni is her equal, the performance remains very moving for it is most sympathetically conducted by Serafin. All the traditional cuts are made, but the CD transfer is first-rate, and this remains a real bargain.'
On record, though, it’s the quality of the singing that counts even more than the price, and that is often where super-bargain opera issues come unstuck. There is no such problem with any of the sets on offer here, however.
When it was first issued in 1964, Sir John Pritchard’s abridged Glyndebourne version of
The casting is strong, with Carlo Cava a noble and vocally rich Seneca. Frances Bible as Ottavia and Walter Alberti as Ottone characterise equally admirably, while Lydia Marimpietri is an unforgettable Drusilla. Even the unique Hugues Cuenod briefly and bizarrely makes his mark as Lucano. John Pritchard coaxes beguilingly baroque textures from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Glyndebourne Chorus make a few notable contributions, especially in the scene of Seneca’s farewell. The stars of the piece, Richard Lewis and Magda Laszlo, are in splendid voice, and their final love duet comes as a moving end to a great opera. The recording really is remarkably opulent, and this is greatly enjoyable.
As a bonus comes a collection of madrigals, recorded three years later with an entirely different cast, but the choice of a group of soloists for this repertoire proves not to be the best way to integrate the complex part-writing smoothly. Fortunately the key number, the beautiful ‘Lamento d’Arianna’, is successful, and this comes as the final item. However, these performances certainly do not lack character. In the opera no texts are given, but there is a detailed, cued synopsis (there are no texts and translations for the madrigals).
The similar Glyndebourne-derived recording of Idomeneo, made in 1955, was also a first because, although it used a severely cut text, it offered more music on disc than ever before. Although the orchestral sound could be more expansive, it does not sound too dated, and the voices are natural. Sena Jurinac is the star as a ravishing Ilia, Richard Lewis sings stirringly in the title-role, and Leopold Simoneau is a refined tenor Idamante. The cuts mean that the whole opera fits comfortably onto two discs. Again, a similar untitled, cued synopsis is provided.
The other Mozart opera is the pick of the bunch – another Glyndebourne set, but a glowingly effervescent performance that, under Gui, never puts a vocal foot wrong. Bruscantini is the perfect, traditional Figaro to contrast with Graziella Sciutti’s sparklingly seductive Susanna, Calabrese is a strong Count, and Rise Stevens has an individuality which makes her a distinctive Cherubino. Ian Wallace is a natural for Bartolo, and Hugues Cuenod is back again in inimitable form to portray Don Basilio. But the linchpin is the glorious, archetypal Countess of Sena Jurinac. The recording quality is warm and smooth. There is a (very minor) cut to fit the recording onto two discs, and again there is no libretto, and here it is a real drawback that the cued synopsis does not name the arias and ensembles.
What strikes one immediately in Die Fledermaus, apart from the vividly idiomatic Philharmonia performance of the overture, is the theatrical atmosphere of the recording itself, from the opening scene onwards. Among the women, Wilma Lipp’s delicious Adele stands out and Christa Ludwig is an unexpectedly characterful Orlofsky. Gerda Scheyrer’s Rosalinde is less vocally accomplished, but all the men are good and the whole opera lilts along warmly and engagingly under Ackermann’s understanding Viennese baton. Here, again, the want of a translation is a great drawback, particularly in Frosch’s famous comic scene in Act 3, but Erich Kunz is splendid in the role.
Finally there’s the enchanting Violetta Valery of Victoria de los Angeles. She made this recording in the late ’50s, and her voice sounds wonderfully fresh, not least in the glittering coloratura of Act 1. She is also a touchingly tender heroine, and though neither Carlo del Monte nor Mario Sereni is her equal, the performance remains very moving for it is most sympathetically conducted by Serafin. All the traditional cuts are made, but the CD transfer is first-rate, and this remains a real bargain.'
Mozart Idomeneo
Strauss II Die Fledermaus
Verdi La Traviata
Monteverdi L'Incoronazione di Poppea; Madrigals
Mozart Le nozze di Figaro
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