Search - Gioachino Rossini, Claudio Abbado, Samuel Ramey :: Rossini - Il viaggio a Reims / Studer, Valentini-Terrani, Serra, McNair, Matteuzzi, R. Giménez, Gallo, Raimondi, Ramey, Dara; Abbado

Mind-boiling Music

J.C.M.Overdijkink | Leiden, The Netherlands | 02/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rossini, supreme master of musical witt,has achieved his commic masterpiece in this opera. Written for the French stage, it is in effect his last "Italian" work, being the culmination of all his previous comic opera's. From the opening bars of the "Introduzione" right to the end of the finale, with its celebration of the different European powers in the form of national hymns, this opera rocks you, exultes you, drives you mad with pleisure! The music flows like champagne from a violently shaken magnum! You might think that this is too much praise for any work, or that I might be easily pleased and would praise any idiot who comes along. On the contrary: Though I am a Rossini fan, I am also a very critical listener of his or any other composers work. The above dicriptions of "Il Viaggio" were simply the feelings I felt when I first heard this CD. And even now, after having heard it countless times and practically knowing it by hard, I still enjoy this Masterpiece in the same degree as I did the first time. It can truely make your day, even by listening to just an excerpt of this mind-boiling music. I have heard two recordings of Rossini's "Il Viaggio a Reims": one with Abbado and the Prague Opera Company and this one. This one is definitely superior to the first. Abbado seems to appreciate the works finesses better in Berlin then earlier on in Prague. The performance sparkles more, especialy the orchestra; the Berliners play like olympians. The quick-witted music is much better emfisised, allmost unsurpassble! The accuracy of the word-setting and exceptional compositions like the "Gran pezzo concertato a 14 voci" (ensemble piece for 14 individual singers! ) are in this recording displayed in allmost perfect manner. The very accurate Abbado is at his best here. For any lover of comic opera and Rossini in perticular this opera cannot be missed. The recording is accompanied by a an allmost exhaustive (as far as that is possible within the obvious limits) booklet about the background of Rossini,the work, it's history and the performances during wich the recording was made. In short: By it! PS.:If you already know Rossini's "Le Comte Ory" and think that, because of that, you also know "Il Viaggio", you couldn't be more wrong. "Il Viaggio a Reims" is, contrary to what critics have thought for the past 150 years, a superior original. All numbers from "Il Viaggio" reused in "Le Comte Ory", lose much of their glamour, humor and pure brilliance. "Ory" pales in comparison Your's truely, Joost Overdijkink"

A champagne party all the way

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/24/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Abbado's remake of his premiere recording, on DG, of a reconstructed Rossini score that came out of the vaults as sparkling and delightful as anything the comopser ever wrote. It's a box of bon bons, with one spectacular aria and charming tune after another. I prefer this version form Berlin for the incomparable virtuosity of the Berlin Phil. and the wonderful sonics. by comparison, the chamber Orch. of Europe, which plays on the DG set, is fine but lacks the ultimate polish of the Berliners, and the earlier set's sound is rather coarse and distant. But it's a choice between two great party records, and I could happily live with either."

A Rossini Gem

Ronald T. Shuman | Chicago, Illinois | 01/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This rarely produced Rossini opera is a gem. While some may say "There's probably a reason it's never done," in this case it's valid--it was written for the coronation of Charles X an quickly withdrawn by Rossini. The score was "lost" until the 1970s. While probably not Rossini's best work, it's still a "find." With a huge cast that allows Rossini to show off many styles of writing, this is a winner. Of course, the highlight is the Concertato for 14 Voices (yes...that is 14 voices!!). Snap this up quickly before it's forgotten again!"