Search - Rossini, Fleming, Orch Teatro Bologna :: Rossini: Armida

Great recording, No libretto

Zachary Broom | Long Beach, CA USA | 02/02/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a re-issue of the old Sony release of the live recording of Armida with Renee Fleming. The price is pretty reasonable, especially if you can buy it quickly from a private seller offering it for an even lower price on Amazon.



I will not review the opera or the singing other than to say that it's great (one of my favorite recordings). Mostly I just want to give more information about the packaging. This is a large 3 disc set that comes in a case with multiple compartments for the different discs. Unfortunately there is no libretto with translation, just a small booklet that gives track listings and plot summaries for each disc. I won't detract from the score because of this, but it would have been nice to have a libretto with translation. :("

Good live recording re-release...no librettos or enlish tran

Anton Karidian | Toronto | 04/14/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"A nice modern recording of a live performance with Renee Flemming who seems to have claimed the title role of Armida. This is a re-release of a previously full priced edition, which I assume had a multi-language libretto. This is a problem given that Armida is a fairly lesser known of the Rossini operas - an english libretto translation is not available. Even the Recordi score, though complete with a piano reduction score does not have an English translation. If you require the english, it seems you will have to secure a copy of the original Sony release and pay premium price for it."

Thrilling performance

Lawrence F. Jagdfeld | Cicero, Illinois | 06/05/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The two previous reviewers focused on the lack of a libretto. This is the price we pay for these economical reissues. The original recording with libretto is still available and is, understandably so, more expensive. One gets what one pays for. However, I listen to opera while I am at work at my desk or as I am driving. The libretto is of little or no use to me under these circumstances; so I am happy to be able to purchase additions to my collection at bargain prices.



This is a truly thrilling performance of a rare Rossini opera. I listened to it twice through upon receiving it. I can understand why it is rarely performed, although this is a live performance. One needs to marshall a tremendous cast to pull this opera off satisfactorily. Renee Fleming is the only female voice in the cast and shines in her role as the sorceress. The various tenors, and in particular Carlo Bosi, all perform with total commitment and are endowed with the skill to execute Rossini's twists and turns with apparent ease. To be quite honest, I don't even care about the story line; many of them are silly anyway. However, if you want to listen to glorious voices performing difficult music with seeming ease and agility, this recording will thrill you as it did me."