Search - Gioachino Rossini, Charles Gounod, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart :: Giuseppe Di Stefano: Gli ospiti radiofonici

A Memorial House of Memories

L. Marietta | Berkeley, CA | 02/16/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Perhaps the most positive aspect of this double CD compilation is that one gets to hear top tier opera stars in live performances when, at the time of the performances [1950], those of the post WWII baby-boomer generation could only later have access to these singers via studio recordings (or occasionally the pirated LP of a live performance poorly recorded by an "electronic pocketbook", where every cough and sniffle from the audience is louder than the performers). While these recordings (transcripts) of live broadcasts from the Standard Hour supposedly center around the artistry of a relatively young Giuseppe di Stefano, one quickly tires of his "one sound fits all" delivery. It is, in fact, the artistry of his soprano partners wherein lies the interest and allure of these CDs.

Hearing these distinguished divas in signature roles (with at least one requisite duet with di Stefano) is a fascinating look into operatic history. We find Bidu Sayao nearing the end of her career, Lily Pons with about 10 years to go, and Renata Tebaldi on the cusp of international fame.

Sayao's diminutive voice has all its famous lyricism intact, and we are treated to some arias not usually associated with her: most notably Matilde's "Selva opaca" from Rossini's William Tell and Cherubino's "Non so piu"--an odd selection given Sayao's renowned Susanna. While these are both pleasingly sung, it isn't until the Act 1 Boheme excerpts in which she hits her stride. Even without seeing her, we hear her strongly etched characterization of Mimi in "Mi chiamano" and the Act 1 duet (in which di Stefano's final stentorian high C practically blows Mimi into the next county).

Lily Pons was certainly not everyone's cup of vocal tea, and I've heard some rather disparaging descriptions of her 1950's SF Opera appearances (including the ill-fated Violetta), but one cannot ignore that it was she who in essence started the ball rolling into the revival of Bellini and, especially, Donizetti operas. While she lacked the precision of first Callas and then Sutherland, she had her own special style of delivery, particularly her unique ability to leap from a lovely lyric line to rapid-fire staccati in the blink of an baton. She also possessed a certain sweetness--a certain purity--in her sound that endeared her to millions (we won't get into her tiny feet and renowned chic). Her contribution here is small in comparison to her female colleagues: we are treated to only the Lucia/Egardo duet from what she considered her signature role (others will disagree and say that the true artistry of darling Lily was fully displayed in her Gilda or Rosina...but I digress). There are times in the duet where di Stefano threatens to swamp Lily's voice, but after 20+ years of singing Lucia, she knew how to hold her own. This performance is not her strongest live Lucia on CD. For that, try to get her live excerpts from a 1949 Mexico City production with Tagliavini--or, even her final 1962 Dallas Lucia, where she sounds incredibly young and vibrant.

Last, and hardly the least, the sumptuous sound of Tebaldi is a real match for Signor di Stefano, and they complement each other remarkably well in the Act 1 Butterfly duet. Tebaldi also sings "La mamma morta" and "L'altra notte" with an outpouring of luscious sound (it's always been said that she recorded better than she actually sounded live on stage) that is alarmingly pressed (chested) on her lower notes. One can hear why her well known 50's vocal crisis was pending. However, she imbues her contributions with an Italian vitality all too scarce today. What a treat to hear these 3 sopranos, none with the "cookie cutter" sound, which, alas, seems to be the accepted norm (with a few exceptions like Fleming, Netrebko and Gheorghiu) today.

In conclusion (finally), for those 60 yrs old and younger, if you want to sample some distinguished yodels of yesteryear, these CDs are for you.

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