Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Orchestra e coro del Teatro alla Scala, Riccardo Muti :: Attila / Ramey, Studer, Shicoff, Zancanaro, Teatro alla Scala, Muti

Good all-around Attila. Ramey and Zancanaro stand out!

Armindo | Greece | 05/09/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Of all the Basses who recorded the role in studio, Ramey is the best. He is heard in his prime here, sings securely and has the right regal and grand tone for the role (Ghiaurov live was also thrilling but record companies overlooked him). Don't miss the opportunity to get Ramey's exciting video performances of Attila as well. Zancanaro is a great Italian baritone and his Ezio is a big plus in this recording. If only there were more baritones like him around today... I've read wonderful things about both Shicoff and Studer but to be honest I expected more. Dramatically they can be moving (especially Studer) but vocally they rarely excite. He has nothing of Bergonzi's style (musicianship is a rare gift) while Studer's high notes sound strained (I also tend to prefer a darker voice like Sass' or Guleghina's in this role) Despite my reservations about Studer and Shicoff, this is the best studio Attila recording. Muti conducts after all well and allows his singers to do their best. No Verdi collection should be without an Attila recording and with Ramey in the title role this set is warmly recommended."

The best Attila in the marketplace

Strauss Lover | 10/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The standouts in this extraordinary studio recording are the fine Odabella of soprano Cheryl Studer, caught in the prime of her youth and the Ezio of Giorgio Zancanaro. Well, at the scrupulous conducting of Maestro Muti. I wish they had hired someone other than Shicoff as Foresto but you can't always have it all. Ramey is fine in the title role if a bit hammy for my taste. Still, this audio recording is worthy of 9 (out of 10) stars. And, if I could, I would give 10 to the live video version with the same forces save for the Foresto, thankfuly given to tenor Kaludi Kaludov. Do not miss this!"