Search - Arrigo Boito, Alfredo Catalani, Umberto Giordano :: My First Record

Will we EVER hear a more glorious sound?

01/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's been almost 55 years since the recording of the recitals included on this cd and there still hasn't appeared a more sumptuous, glorious voice than Renata Tebaldi's. Even singers blessed with gorgeous voices like Montserrat Caballe have admitted that Tebaldi's was the most perfect voice they had ever heard! One can go on using numerous superlatives to describe her instrument but nothing will please our ears more than stop talking and simply enjoy the sound of the young Renata Tebaldi. But was Tebaldi just a wonderful voice? The arias heard on this cd are among the most famous soprano arias, yet when I listen to Tebaldi it's as if I'm hearing them for the first time. Listen how she phrases the two simple words "del mare" in Un bel di or how she communicates Marguerite's excitement and Mimmi's feelings about the first sunshine, the first kiss. Each aria is transformed through Renata's singing, enough said! The sound is not excellent in all tracks but I expected it worse. Once she starts singing I forget about the poor sonics. This is not another great recital you should own, it's a historical testament and a tribute to the miracle of the human voice!"

Tebaldi fans, this is a "must have".

rockyshore-81 | 05/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I gave this 5 stars in spite of the sound problems. I AM a Tebaldi fan and proud of it. This cd has selections I hadn't heard before. The Nozzi di Figaro aria I found particularly enjoyable. I had not heard Tebaldi sing this before. Her voice is so delicate in this aria it just leaves me smiling breathlessly at the end every time. Many of these arias I heard for the first time in the '60's. I was/am, for lack of a better word, gleeful at being able to hear them when the voice was young. I was unaware Tebaldi had done any 78's or recorded for Cetra. These are especially cherished. The ease with which she sings the not often heard arias only augments my already heretofor great love for this radiant voice. I've ordered more copies of this cd. My sister and a couple of friends will love it as I do. There is indeed an uneveness of sound but that can be easily ignored when you think what you're getting -- "hard to find" old recordings on one cd. Well worth the price and a valued asset to any Tebaldi collection."

Tebaldi's Fonit Cetra and Decca 78s Released!!

F. Barton | Newport, WA USA | 11/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD, with a running time of over 79 minutes, collects ALL of her 1949 London recordings, along with the elusive Fonit Cetra 78s she made in 1950.The seven Decca arias were completed in ONE session instead of the scheduled three, and the surprised orchestra was no longer needed. Decca let Renata and her mother enjoy themselves for her perfect recording session!!The Fonit Cetra arias are incredible, Tebaldi at her youngest, having no trouble with anything. Her "O Patria Mia" is the closest you will ever hear to her doing it live. The Boheme arias unfortunately suffer from being transferred from a damaged lp, which was not the original source, obviously. But for those who haven't heard these arias, this is well worth the money. I don't think that BOTH the '49 Decca arias AND the Fonit Cetra have ever been put on CD before, and here they are. The AIDA arias are outstanding, with incredible sound. "La mamma morta" is a standout, a perfect example of verisimo singing, and the Mefistofele aria will let the young Tebaldi take you to all the places she will go in her career!! Despite some added reverb that should have been removed, these arias are still pure gold to those of us too young to ever have heard them. Highly recommended."