Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Antonietta Stella :: Verdi: Il Trovatore

A Trovatore Better Than Karajan's

Monica | Romania | 01/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Update June 2, 2009

The images on the CD are misleading, probably from other shows. I posted an image from this production. Click on "customer image."



This Trovatore has an all-Italian cast, caught on tape live at the La Scala opening. Leading the cast, tenor Franco Corelli gives his utmost here. Although I cannot prove it, intuition says that he was less tense than in his Salzburg Trovatore with Karajan earlier that year. He was also on his own turf. Singing effortlessly from second one, and using all his vocal effects to render the tremendous suffering of destiny-stricken Manrico, a Romantic hero that fits him like a glove. Quasi perfect.



Antonietta Stella is a very good Leonora, although with a voice that was too lyric for the role. But she does well not to strain. A young Fiorenza Cossotto does a very good job as Azucena, as a foresight of her later career achievements. Bass Ivo Vinco as Ferrando is the greatest surprise, with a deep sound and excellent technique.



Baritone Ettore Bastinini as Il Conte di Luna, said to have already been diagnosed with the cancer that eventually took his life, sings superbly, much better than in the above-mentioned show with Karajan. Perhaps he felt more at ease too. His "Il Balen del suo soriso" is unsurpassed. Perhaps this show was some kind of a swan song for him, which makes it immensely impressive and touching at the same time.



There are some short cues that have been cut, for no apparent reason or because the audience interrupted the show to applaud. The only real low point is the famous "Miserere" chorus, too loud and with uncovered sounds, but this is a matter of individual taste.



My advice is to buy this CD and buy it fast, because it is a rarity in point of authenticity and quality.





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