Search - Gioachino Rossini, Riccardo Chailly, National Philharmonic Orchestra :: Rossini: Guglielmo Tell

Best Guglielmo Tell Availabe, Now Remastered!

Benjamin | Chicago, IL USA | 10/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the Remastered edition (96 Khz · 24 bit) in the Legendary Recordings from the Decca Catalogue · The Originals Collection 4CD. This is the best Guglielmo Tell available on record, even better because of the remasterization of the original tapes recorded in 1979. I rate this CD 4 stars and a half.

GT is Rossini's last opera. This is a pioneer piece of music for the upcoming Romanticism movement. Also, it allowed the upcoming French grand-opera to happen. It is, with no question, one of the most important operas of all times. The music is pure beauty, and the story is very dramatic. It is, also, a very challenging opera to put together, especially for the difficulty of the vocal parts. This opera was originally written and performed in French, but Calisto Bassi soon translated it into Italian, and it is in Italian how we know it today.

This version is superbly directed by a then young Riccardo Chailly, who is able to give this recording a very well balanced mood, something difficult considering the sessions took place in different times of the year. Freni is wonderful, lyric, warm, and a fresh Matilde. Pavarotti shines and delivers amazing high notes that only a few can. An Milnes is as usual very effective.

Bottomline: this is the best Guglielmo Tell recording available in studio. 4.5 stars.



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