Search - Puccini, Domingo, Cotrubas :: Puccini: Il Trittico.

Still the best Trittico available.

12/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CBS knew in the seventies how to cast it's opera recordings, and they did extremely well with this Trittico. First of all, there is the poignant Suor Angelica and Giorgetta of Renata Scotto, glorious Puccini singing, the REAL thing. Domingo is too the best Luigi ever recorded, far better than Shicoff in the recent EMI Pappano recording. And what a great idea it was to resurrect the elderly Tito Gobbi as Gianni Schicchi, as before peerless in this role. Maazel is a natural puccinian and sees through the proceedings smoothly, with excellent orchestral playing. For the 3 operas, this is the set to own. Pappano does well with Il Tabarro, but the Suor Angelica of Cristina Gallardo-Domas is nowhere near Scotto's. The Gianni Schicchi is VERY disappointing. If you want to complement the Maazel Trittico, get on it's own Victoria de los Angeles Suor Angelica, not as exalted as Scotto but oh-so-beautiful!"

One puccinian gem

Rafael Fernandez Fernandez | Madrid, Madrid Spain | 11/16/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Certainly this is one of the best Puccini recordings ever made. All three operas (Tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi) are, in their own way, full successes. Maazel is inspired as in no other recording by him, Scotto does a great Giorgetta and, over all, an unsurpassable Suor Angelica, Domingo does a virile Luigi and a pretty naïf Rinuccio, Cotrubas does a lovable Suor Genovieffa in her short appearance and a still more lovable Lauretta. Along with them, each opera has a guest star equally good: Wixell is a terrific Michele, with a thrilling final scene, Horne is also splendid as the old and ice-hearted Princess in her interview with Angelica, and Gobbi a great success in his buffo role. The rest of the cast is also great, specially in Gianni Schicchi. You won't find a better Trittico in older ones nor in newer (Pappano, Bartoletti, etc.)."

Puccini at his best

Enrique Ovidio Carro Rey | 09/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm deeply fond of Puccini operas. La Bohème and Turandot are by far my favourite operas of all time, but since I first heard this set I'm also a big fan of Il Trittico. I think this is the most underrated Puccini masterwork, for many reasons, and this particular recording displays many moments that prove my point of view. Placido Domingo as Luigi in Il Tabarro creates a wonderfully passionate, virile character, perfectly matched with Renata Scotto. But the soprano shines especially in Suor Angelica. She simply brings me to tears everytime I hear her Senza mamma o bimbo tu sei morto. I don't know why so many people thinks this is the weakest point of Il Trittico. The music is beautiful, and in the end is one of the most realistics portraits of forgiveness I have ever heard. Really, this must be how a choir of angels sounds up there in Heaven.

And after this, the charming, witty, glorious Gianni Scchicchi created by the great Tito Gobbi. He made the part his own, and here he still is perfect, despite his age. Or maybe thanks to it. After many years in a role he knew perfectly well, there are no flaws at all here. Great singer, but a magnificent actor also, I enjoy especially the part when he fakes his voice to simulate that of the dead man. I like Domingo less in this than in the previous Tabarro, but Ileana Cotrubas sings a lovable Lauretta, with a very good O mio babbino caro.

Troughout the set the supporting singers make a very good job, but it is mandatory to mention Marilyn Horne and Ileana Cotrubas in Suor Angelica, especially the mezzo. The way she sings tells us the story of the previous seven years without ever refer to them directly. Her coldness, her scorn for her niece, but also her majestatic power are perfectly described.

I think no one will be disappointed with this recording. Lorin Maazel's direction is the icyng of a wonderful cake, the one you'll love to taste and taste many times trough the years."