Search - Gaspare Spontini, Lovro von Matacic, Choir &f Orchestra of RAI Turin :: Fernando Cortez (Complete Opera) (Turin, 1974)

Excellent performance of a rare opera!

madamemusico | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 11/17/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 1974 performance of Spontini's "Cortez" was formerly available on Arkadia, but was then deleted. It is well-sung by a cast including Angela Gulin, Bruno Prevedi and Luigi Roni, conducted by Lovro von Matacic. It is an excellent and musical performance, perhaps not as exciting as the old Tebaldi version BUT in very good stereo sound. This allows you to hear the intricate detailing of Spontini's orchestration, which influenced Berlioz and Wagner. All of the singing is quite good if not terribly inspired, but musical and exact which gives you an adequate idea of the music.



Spontini's operas are in desperate need of revival. Musically and dramatically, they are far better than many of the belcanto operas so indiscriminately revived nowadays (Il Pirata, Capuleti ed i Montechi, Il Viaggio a Riems, etc etc etc). This will give you a good idea of what Spontini is all about, as also will "La Vestale," "Olympie" and "Agnes di Hohenstaufen.""