Search - Gaetano Donizetti, Jonel Perlea, Montserrat Caballé :: Donizetti - Lucrezia Borgia / Caballé · Vanzo · Paskalis · Perlea

THE LEGENDARY 20 APRIL 1965 PERFORMANCE

Shawn Chua | Singapore | 06/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you buy only one Montserrat Caballe CD, better yet, if you buy only one opera CD, let it be this one! The live recording of the performance that shot her into the stratosphere of celebrity, this legendary performance indeed lives up to its repute and expectations. Cliched as it may sound, one really has to wonder if people had been listening at all, as we bear witness to the perfection of Caballe's reading of the title role. How it came to be that she sang for nine years in relevant obscurity before she made it really astounds and boggles. This performance showcases many of the traits of Caballe that we have come to associate, admire and indeed, aspire. The complete mastery of her instrument of molten gold, the lush velvelty tone of exquisite limpid intonation, the disembodied and ethereal floated pianissimi, all these and more are the stuff of which dreams are made of. The moment she makes her entrance, one can literally hear the atmosphere change. As she holds the audience spellbound, one can bear witness to the metamorphosis of an unknown soprano into a prima donne assoluta. Her singing of "Tranquillo ei posa" followed by "Com'e bello" transcends all planes as she moulds each phrase with her innate musicality and brings them off with her supreme technique and gorgeous voice. What really takes the cake is the climax of the scene where she holds on to a top note in pianissimo for a full twenty seconds. This really has to be heard to be believed for despite the whole ensemble singing along and the orchestra going full force, her note is spot on and we have to bow in deference to her legendary breath control. The entire performance takes off from the prologue and closes with a bang, as the entire house erupts. Topping the performance with a blood-curdling scream, Caballe is literally an overnight sensation. The rest of the cast give commendable performances, but I am sure that it would not be denied that it was Caballe that turned the performance around."

An "emotional typhoon"

Shawn Chua | 04/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, we all must express gratitude to Opera d'Oro for releasing this live recording on their label. Heretofore, it was evidently very hard to find, as stated in the Rough Guide to Opera. To pay so little for such a legendary performance- what a steal.There are always drawbacks to listening to live recordings versus studio recordings, not the least of which is the person in the audience that feels the need to cough at the most dramatic moments(!) However, live recordings can lend an immediacy that is often missing from studio recordings, and this is the case here. You literally here the audience shift from a tepid, unenthusiastic response in the beginning to roaring applause by the opera's end.As for Caballe, she blows you away with her arsenal of pianissimi and filati. Caballe is known for her sweet, creamy tone, but she is also capable of great drama, as she expresses in the climatic final scene, where she lifts to the stratosphere.Of course, Caballe isn't the only star on the stage. Barbie gives a sweet rendition of the organ-grinder-sounding tune "Il Segreto per Esser Felici." I think that ANYONE with even a passing interest in opera, bel canto, and/or Donizetti MUST buy this recording. You will NOT be disappointed."

What all the fuss is about

mrzee256 | Long Beach, New York United States | 03/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the performance that pretty well put Caballe on the world stage as a premiere performer. Here is some of the most beautiful singing you will ever hear, and it will be a treasure in my collection as long as I listen to opera. Having sat through many Caballe performances, I have to say that sometimes I wished for a little meaning put into the sound, but much of the time all you could do was surrender to the glorious sound. This is one of those times--listen and marvel. Certainly one of the great live performances of the last 50 years."