Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Fernando Previtali, Colon Theater Orchestra (Buenos Aires) :: Verdi: Don Carlo / Previtali (1962)

Enjoyable

Filippo Secondo | 08/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having been extremely disappointed by Living Stage's disastrous 1972 Met CARLO (Corelli/Molinari-Pradelli), I'm pleased to have encountered the label's 1962 Buenos Aires recording. The sound (unlike the Met) is quite listenable, except for some loud passages occurring towards the end of certain scenes heard mostly on the right-hand speaker (although the covers says 'MONO', it sounds like early stereo). Hines's Filippo is superior to his 1955 Met interpretation of the role, giving a most heartbreaking 'Ella giammai m'amo', where he weeps without sentimentality; his spine-chilling denunciation of Elisabetta is complemented by an interpolated but intelligent 'Soccorso!', following 'Soccorso alla Regina!'. Brouwenstijn, not a favourite of mine, improves on her 1958 ROH Elisabetta. Once past an awkward Veil Song (the flamenco ornamention being undistinguished, the one verse given to her is enough), Resnik sings excitingly: her biggest moment occurs in the garden trio, one of the highlights of the recording, though her scene in the King's study is equally memorable. The underrated Protti (Posa) and little-known Zampieri (Carlo) acquit themselves well (the latter's voice could be easily mistaken for famous 1950s interpreters of the role such as Picchi, Filippeschi, Labo and Fernandi). Juan Zanin's Monk out-monks all others of the period. I got this recording for the sake of Hotter: for many, his Grand Inquisitor can be slightly melodramatic and even loud, but I dare not find fault with such a gripping performance, not least by my favourite Wotan. Apart from a couple of clumsy passages, Previtali conducts passionately. Though the cuts are regrettable (the production must have necessitated that Carlo's final words be deleted), and the sound isn't perfect (the voices are well caught, though), this shouldn't be overlooked by CARLO collectors."