Search - Alessandro Scarlatti, Pietro Domenico Paradisi, Christoph Willibald Gluck :: Recital Amsterdam, 1974

Brava!

tenor_in_training | 12/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording made at a recital that took place in 1974 is 70-some minutes of vocal splendor (unfortunately, I was just about a month old then so I could not attend it). Usually I am careful about Gala's live releases because many of them are poorly recorded. This one stands out - there are very few coughs and other unpleasant sounds emitted by the appreciative Amsterdam audience. Tebaldi's angelic voice still showed no signs of wear, and right in the middle of the recital she sang Beethoven's demanding "Ah Perfido!" - a stupendous feat that lasted 13-plus minutes. Tebaldi smartly combined operatic numbers with simpler but melodic and ear-catching Neapolitan songs. A pleasant and welcome surprise is her rendition of Gluck's "O mio dolce ardor" usually reserved by basses and baritones. The soprano range she possessed was just extraordinary, and her interpretations still sound fresh and innovative. She is masterfully accompanied by Edoardo Muller who is more known for his outstanding conducting than for his sensitive and skillful piano accompaniments. Even though this is a live recording, his piano generally does not sound booming or faded. For some reason the front cover features Tebaldi made up for a role, possibly Aida, instead of a concert photo. We are not likely to see the likes of La Tebaldi in any near future so enjoy her discs while they are still available."