Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Antonino Votto, La Scala Theater Orchestra :: Verdi: Ernani

"Kabaivanska is a major singer with an elegant, aristocratic air about her as well as a Slavic edge to her expressive voice ... Domingo, in first bloom, is simply glorious, the baritonal qualities of his voice more interesting than overwhelming, with a real bright tenorial `ping' to his high notes ... Nicolai Ghiaurov offers a dignified, dark-hued Silva, and unknown baritone Carlo Meliciani handles Carlo's high-lying music well." --CLASSICS TODAY Ernani had its premiere in 1844 and went on swiftly to conquer the world's theaters, remaining one of Verdi's most popular operas for many decades. This performance was taped on opening night at La Scala in 1969, a historic treasure withi Domingo at the beginning of his international career. Raina Kabaivanska was born in Bulgaria in 1934 but moved to Italy to pursue her vocal career. Renowned for her interpretations of the roles of Tosca, Manon, Francesca da Rimini, and Madame Butterfly, the fiery soprano earned the nickname "the heroine of melodrama." Kabaivanska's fellow Bulgarian, Nicolai Ghiaurov, was the most eminent operatic bass of his generation.