Acquire it if you can....
B. Cathey | Wendell, NC United States | 06/25/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Alberto Franchetti's festival opera, CRISTOFORO COLOMBO, was written for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. It's a powerful work, with echoes of late Verdi, much Ponchielli, and even Wagner. Not exactly verismo, but those who enjoy Leoncavallo and Giordano, will find much to please. Renato Bruson, the "Cristoforo Colombo" lead, carries the work, and his almost thirty minute monologue in the memorable Epilogue of the work is quite impressive. In short, a rarity that should be better known and enjoyed by opera lovers. Franchetti's operas FIGLIA DI IORIO and GERMANIA were made notable by Enrico Caruso during the first decade of the twentieth century; they should be revived, also. In the meantime, this recording is a very good introduction to much neglected composer and his oeuvre."