Search - Verdi, Corelli, Bastianini :: La Battaglia Di Legnano

Refined Singing of the Past

Monica | Romania | 01/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, La Battaglia di Legnano may not be Verdi's greatest masterpiece, and this is an understatement, but, revived with such a cast and with all-Italian supporting singers and ensembles, it is a rarity. About this rendition, first the 10-percent of the glass that is empty: many times, the conductor seems not to have been in control, and when he was in control, he was unrefined and the orchestra is heard too loud.



But the singing is so exquisite, that you will forget other issues. The soprano is the excellent Antonietta Stella, with a beautiful lyric-spinto voice and possessing a very secure technique. Although her role does not exactly abound in tuneful pieces, listening to her is a real pleasure.



Baritone Ettore Bastianini offers a very refined interpretation, with many nuances, ranging from the character's tender-love singing to his wife, to anger against the aggressor on the battlefield, and to jealous fury. Again something very rare, this opera does not seem to include a grand baritone aria, which is very unlike Verdi's usual.



Franco Corelli sings the lead role, as this is a tenor opera. Even when the tenor character has less to sing, he is on stage most of the time and what he does sing is extremely difficult vocally and musically. As usual, one hears Corelli's array of subtle tones and hues:



Very round and tender in "O magnanima... La pia materna mano," when he recounts how his mother's "pious hand" has saved his life.



Heroically powerful in the ensemble scenes, especially in the entire Act 2, when the tenor is heard over all the other soloists and the chorus, which is a tremendous challenge.



Of course, he sounds desperate in fortissimo in Act 3 when he is punished with infamy, which is deemed worse than death.



And differently desperate at the finale: in his death scene, he sings both in pianissimo and in forte, passionately reminding his rival that he has saved the motherland.



The sound is good, without much background noise, and only the applause will make listeners remember that this is a live recording of the season opening at La Scala in 1961: to treasure this past art, the likes of which do not exist anymore, as this technique and style of singing seem to be all but forgotten."

Heroic battle!

Armindo | Greece | 05/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With such strong Verdi voices in their prime it's no surprise the result is magnificent. I was especially impressed by Stella who on other recordings sounds rather matronly. As Lida her tone is more forward and the top is in pristine condition producing many exciting moments. Corelli is his usual heroic self displaying all the qualities that made him one of the most popular tenors of the 50s and 60s. My favourite performance however came from Bastianini who sounds more involved than usual and makes a strong yet thoughtful Rolando. The opera has many beautiful duets with these three and especially with the tenor and baritone and it was fantastic to hear them sing their hearts out. Maionica and the young Ferrin do justice to their minor parts and with the great Gavazzeni at the pit, this 1961 performance is easily recommended as a live alternative to the more romantic Philips recording.

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