Search - Verdi, Gueden, Monaco :: Rigoletto

Magistral singing and great sense of who's who!

verdiano_brasileiro | Fortaleza, Brazil | 07/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Verdi's Rigoletto was the first I've met. Of course, I loved it since I heard it, because of the music, because of the singers, because of their theatrical but simple interpretation, which makes us feel almost in a medieval tale. Since then, I heard many other recordings, but it's still my favourite version of that opera, even we have Sutherland, Scotto, Callas, Cotrubas and many other divas on CD singing the ingenuous role of Gilda. Why this? First, the orchestra is vivacious and even the imperfect sound help us to feel in the Castle Age, with kings and queens. Everything creates such a special atmosphere, which is completed by the dramatic, explosive Rigolleto of Aldo Protti, which is no doubt one of the best Rigolettos ever sung. Hilde Güden, one of the owners of the role of Gilda during the late 40's and 50's, uses her gorgeous, sweet and innocent voice, so used to operettas, to form a naïve, young Gilda, instead of some mature and experient Gildas we use to hear. Her voice fits to the role perfectly. Mario del Monaco is another great detail in this recording, with a powerful voice and a great sense of the bad character of the Duca di Mantua. Ok, it's not a famous role in his career, but it's a good appearence of his and he does it very well.
It mustn't be just recommended, but desired!"