Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Bruno Bartoletti, Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra & Chorus :: Un Ballo in Maschera

Young Pav at his Best!

Malley Patrick Keelan | Lincoln, NE | 03/31/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This set was recorded in 1970, first appeared in 1971, and now is re-issued once again on CD as Decca Double # 460 762, at a midline price. A German pressing, I'm sure Amazon can obtain it. I am familiar with most of the Ballo sets since the Gigli/Caniglia/Serafin in 1943 up to the Richard Leech set of the late 1990's. Each Ballo set has its strengths--such as the wonderful Verdi tenor Carlo Bergonzi in Solti 1 (1960-61) and Leinsdorf (1966) and MacNeil and Merrill's Renatos in those same sets. As fine as he sings the role, not to mention Gigli, Peerce, Tagliavini, Tucker (on several broadcast sets), Domingo (3 different sets!), Carreras, Pavarotti (Solti 2) and even Richard Leech, there is just SOMETHING about the freedom and vocal ease of the 35-year-old Pavarotti (pre-beard!). The high notes shine and soar and he just seems to be the young, impetuous King. Milnes shows us why he was the logical American baritone successor to Tibbett, Warren, Weede, Merrill and MacNeil in the great Verdi roles and young Helen Donath shines, giving us a glimpse of the fine lyric soprano she would grow into. A curious recording in some respects, at the other end we have the Grand Dame Renata Tebaldi as Amelia and Regina Resnik as Ulrica--both at the end of their best years; don't forget, their careers started in the mid-1940s. Sort of a meeting of two generations of opera singing. But except for some tight top notes, the ladies acquit themselves well enough vocally and also add involved characterizations of their roles. Bartoletti with his forces keeps things moving and the sound is fine. This is a must-have for Pav or Milnes fans, or those who must own everything by Tebaldi."