Search - Gioachino Rossini, Gabriele Ferro, Lucia Valentini-Terrani :: Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri / Ferro, Cappella Coloniensis

Making Rossini proud

J. Luis Juarez Echenique | Mexico City | 12/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fonit Cetra and the Cologne Radio made 3 marvelous recordings of Rossini operas in the late 70's: Tancredi, Cenerentola and L'Italiana in Algeri. These were the first Rossini operas to be recorded with period instruments and all 3 of them are a triumph. SONY/CBS released Italiana and Cenerentola outside of Italy but unfortunately ignored Tancredi presumably because they already had the Horne recording in their catalogue.

This Italiana is very stylish and elegant, but it's also great fun. Valentini-Terrani is a dark hued, sexy Isabella. She may not be as funny as Horne or as adorable as Berganza, but she is never less than very good. Francisco Araiza is needless to say, matchless as Lindoro. Luigi Alva, Ernesto Palacio and Raúl Gimenez are all good in different ways, but Araiza is even better: his voice is more atractive than Gimenez's or Palacio's and his technique is better than Alva's.

Ganzarolli's voice sounds just a little bit worn out, but he is so funny that any vocal failure is forgotten.

Gabriele Ferro, a magnificent Rossini conductor keeps everyone on it's toes. The great Capella Coloniensis is a living treasure. Do add this recording to your collection."

Worth its money

Jeff M. Marsh | 09/17/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of L'Italiana is worth its money because of the orchestra and Enzo Dara with his humour. In all the other roles, including the title role, you might find better recordings. Nevertheless, the sensitive humour of the orchestra from the "soft" beginning of each act until the "explosions" at the end is the real value of this CD."

Lucky Algeria!

Burton Rhode | northport, al United States | 12/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best set to get if you can find it (seek and ye shall find). The orchestra just sparkles. Valentini-Terrani's rich dark voice is so perfect for this role. Araiza is once again a super-dreamy Rossini tenor, why he is not bigger in the USA is beyond me. Ganzarolli is marvelous. And, yes, Dara is good too."