Search - Herbert von Karajan, Piero Cappuccilli, Raina Kabaivanska :: Verdi: Il Trovatore / Karajan, Cappuccilli, Kabaivanska, Cossotto, et al

Magnificent !

Greeta K. Brown | Anchorage, AK USA | 12/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Maestro von Karajan was invited to reprise his magnificent interpretation of "Il Trovatore," he agreed IF he could select his own leading singers. It was agreed and he chose the great Raina Kabaivanska for the role of Leonora and the ever splendid Placido Domingo for Manrico, the troubador of the title. They, with a fine supporting cast, made this performance one of unequaled beauty and truth. Later, von Karajan was to write of Mdme Kabaivanska with whom he had worked in many other operas, saying that this performance of her Leonora was perfection and set a standard of great excellence. Her high notes pianissimi are so exquisite one can hardly breathe when listening. Both Kabaivanska and Domingo are among the few in opera who combine beautiful singing with enviable dramatic abilities. Add the exceptional good looks of each one, and their evident physical attributes, they are a duo to be envied by other singers. Kabaivanska and Domingo are as exciting and moving in this opera as they are in their incomparable performences in "Tosca" and "Francesca da Rimini." The performance of Cossotto is also thrilling. Her anguished memories sung in the second act are among the most memorable of any interpretation of Azuccena! All in all, it is an ensemble that may only be described as perfection! This performance is a MUST for any opera lover. G.K. Brown, DMA, Prof of Music (ret)"

Not surpassing Karajan's earlier set with Corelli and Price

A. F. S. Mui | HK | 06/16/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Some people are quite fanatic with Domingo.

Well, his Ah Si here is good, but his De quella pira simply disappointing. No comparison with Franco Corelli's Manrico.

As for Kabaivanska, an out and out Slavic soprano that has nothing to do with Verdi really. Why did Karajan not call Leyla Gencer to portray Leonora? Gencer WAS the best Leonora EVER. Not even Price could match her.

As for the good ones, Cossotto and Cappucilli are both fantastic in this performance, added by a wonderful Ferrando in Jose van Dam.

"

A famous and infamous production, marred by the soprano

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 09/25/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Karajan's farewell to the vienna State Opera occasioned all kinds of political difficulties that included cancelled performances and a last-minute replacement by Domingo of the scheduled tenor, who walked out. All that would be noting more than social gossip if the event hadn't been so high-profile.



In the end the production was extremely fine. Karajan and Domingo are impeccable, as you would expect. Unfortunately, you have to make compensations for the Leonora of Kabaivanska, who has all te notes but is rather at sea compared to the great Leontyne Price, who owned this role for two decades. There is nothing bad about Kabaivanska's singing but nothing to put er in a class with Domingo or Karajan.



The other famous live Trovatore under Karajan form 1962 is a much greater thing altogether...you get Price causing a sensation and Corelli in top form. that's the performance t seek out, although I must confess that I dislike Corelli's coarse, stentorian voice that I never listen to that set."