Search - Sullivan Years :: Opera Greats

Sutherland's best years

Annie Van Auken | 05/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sutherland is the reason to buy this cd. There are no coloratura in history who can compare with her when she's on. And she's on here. This type of bravura singing is sublime and we can only get it from prime Sutherland. The "Sempre libera" is perfect. Not one note out of place. And crowned with the most perfect dead center high E flat.
Highly recommended."

Live arias on the "really big shoe" (Sullivan)

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 10/19/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When CBS-TV cancelled the Ed Sullivan Show in 1971, the program's long-time host remarked that "Vaudeville has died its second death." So true.



Viewers who joined Ed on Sunday nights were treated to the best musicians and singers, as well as a never-ending variety of dancers, animal acts, tumblers, magicians, spinners, puppets, novelty performers, stand-up comics and scenes from current stage shows. A single hour of Sullivan was indeed like watching a full vaudeville bill.



THE SULLIVAN YEARS series features highlights from every era and genre. All CDs come with booklets containing photos and show details.



In-between ventriloquists, trained pigeons and gymnasts, Ed would often feature something more "highbrow." The OPERA GREATS liner notes (written by Brian Kellow of "Opera News") tell a fascinating story of Ed's efforts to present the TV Wasteland with some finer entertainment. Voices heard here are some of the best of the 1950s and '60s. You don't need to be a buff to enjoy these arias-- melodies from Barber of Seville, Carmen, Madame Butterfly, Pagliacci, Rigoletto and Turandot should be familiar to even the most casual classical listener.



The only limitation of this marvelous collection is audio range. Some tracks taken from vintage monaural film and broadcast-quality videotape may not be up to modern standards. The Merrill "Barber," Peerce and Callas "Tosca," the Peters "Rigoletto" and Steber's "Butterfly" all have limited top end, similar to the dynamics of AM radio vs. FM.



TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 57:06



PROGRAM (includes airdates)--

[4:52] Robert Merrill - Carmen: Votre toast, peux vous le rendre (6/18/67)

[2:06] Robert Merrill - La Traviata: Di Provenza il mar (12/28/69)

[3:27] Joan Sutherland - La Traviata: Sempre libera (11/13/66)

[3:03] Richard Tucker - Turandot: Nessun dorma (5/14/61)

[4:08] Franco Corelli and Dorothy Kirsten - La Boheme: O soave fanciulla (4/17/66)

[4:07] Robert Merrill - Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Largo al factotum (12/2/51)

[4:27] Roberta Peters - Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Una voce poco fa (4/24/66)

[2:47] Jan Peerce - Tosca: E lucevan le stelle (4/22/51)

[3:51] Maria Callas - Tosca: Vissi d'Arte (11/25/56)

[6:17] Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne - Norma: Mira, o Norma (1/8/70)

[4:21] Beverly Sills - Linda Di Chamounix: O luce di quest' anima (5/4/69)

[3:49] Eleanor Steber - Madama Butterfly: Un bel di vedremo (8/27/50)

[5:07] Roberta Peters - Rigoletto: Caro nome (2/7/60)

[4:53] Richard Tucker - Pagliacci: Vesti la guibba (12/7/69)"