Search - Lamberto Gardelli :: Verdi: Rigoletto [Germany]

Wonderful Recording!

-D- | Bristol, England | 07/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, I am surprised at how little this 1984 recording features in any discussion of great Rigolettos. I should say I have never listened to the famous Callas/Gobbi version but I have got the equally famous Leonard Warren/Jan Peerce version. I think this set is great. Lucia Popp is caught here in wonderful fresh voice as ever. Her vocal range is perfectly suited to the role of Gilda and the sheer beauty of her voice makes up for any slight lack of emotion. After all, Gilda isn't as complex a character as a Tosca or Lucia anyway.

Her command of the high notes is so complete that she can add small embellishments to some of the set-piece arias (Caro nome, tutte le feste for example) without ever sounding forced. The ease with which she performs these pieces allows the music to speak for itself and the emotion comes through naturally.

Bernd Weikl was unknown to me as a singer. I think he sings this role with a secure rich tone, with the required colour and emotion and without the histrionics that I can find off putting.

Then we also have Giacomo Aragall, who in my opinion has one of the most beautiful tenor voices ever (listen to his wonderful partnership of Joan Sutherland in Esclarmonde). Here he is perfectly suited for the lyrical Count.

Finally, we have a warm rounded voice in Klara Takacs' contralto Maddelena also managing to add some nice detail to her character and an evil sounding Sparafucile from Jan-Hendrik Rootering.



Lamberto Gardelli knits it all together, playing to his singers strengths and directing what is an extremely fine performance all round. Don't let snobbishness put you off from trying this set - all at a bargain price too !

Highly recommended!"