Search - Puccini, Tebaldi, Simionato :: Il Trittico

Puccini?s three less famous operas performed by top artists

Armindo | Greece | 12/20/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Renata Tebaldi is indisputably the star here. The roles of Suor Angelica and Giorgetta fit her the most. However, her Lauretta is certainly not less memorable. Her "o mio babbino caro" ,for example, is not only beautifully vocalized, as most sopranos do, but at the same time she manages to inject feelings in the singing. Once again she proves that she is the ultimate Puccinian soprano. Whereas most sopranos produce sweet sounds and whisper, she knows exactly how each role is supposed to sound. She speaks through her singing. This recording would have sounded even better, if recorded a few years earlier with Tebaldi at the peak of her powers. One thing I always enjoy is her clear Italian pronounciation something Mario Del Monaco also possesses. Speaking of him, he's not the ideal Puccinian tenor but does a fine job in Il Tabaro, where heard. Giulietta Simionato, not my favourite mezzo but still a decent presence in Suor Angelica. Merrill finally, is exciting as Gianni Schicci. Lamberto Gardelly conducts wonderfully and completes this beautiful recording of Trittico. A solid and interesting recording choice of usually unexciting operas."

Superb Tabarro and Angelica

L. Tolstoy | U.S.A. | 02/12/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"One can look at this set as either a Tebaldi fest or as three opera recordings. In terms of a tour de force for Renata Tebaldi, two of the works show her at her finest, Sour Angelica and Il Tabarro. She is fine in Schicchi, but no one is going to mistake her for a young soubrette. In the other two she is extraordinary. I have often felt that recordings did not capture the grandeur of her voice heard live in which her pianissimo high notes were crystalline and she shook the walls when she sang out. These recordings do just that. The other recording that I felt captures her voice is the Decca Cavalleria with Bjoerling if still available.



In terms of the operas themselves, I feel two of the three performances surpass my other CD, Pappano on EMI. I would give the nod to Gianni Schicci on EMI with Georgiu and Alagna. Otherwise, I prefer this set. I have seen Sour Angelica live and listened to recordings and DVD's, but I never enjoyed it until hearing Tebaldi on this recording.



Il Tabarro is quite a good, underappreciated opera, and I really enjoyed this performance in addition to Tebaldi. Merrill is vocally lush and dramatically an appropriately anguished Michelle. Del Monaco's stentorian style is well suited to Luigi and his lack of subtlety is no deficit in this role.



All in all, a terrific set, but you may want an additional Gianini Schicci."