Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Fernando Previtali, José Carreras :: Verdi - Luisa Miller / Carreras, Ricciarelli, Bruson

Oh, the technology...

11/17/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Just below, John really said it all. Great performance, wonderful voices, energetic conducting, but how I wished for better recording quality! I am sure today's technology is capable of editing or, at least, reducing the noises from the audience. The "pirate" really should've turned to his/her neighbors and said "hey, I am taping here!" Opera D'Oro obtained quite a few selections from now-perished Legato Classics, greatly reducing the price, but sacrificing cover photos and libretti in the process. Except for Eugeny Onegin, I am not aware of any studio-quality recordings on this label (fans, help me out if you are). Of particular interest here is also Mr. Renato Bruson, whose only other recording of Miller was available for the shortest time on DG (under Maestro Maazel). At this price and with these three principals this is an unbeatable deal, even though we all would gladly pay more to hear them in studio recording."

Great Value

John Cragg | Delta(greater Vancouver), B.C Canada | 11/07/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"You can hardly go wrong with this version at this price. The principals are in marvellous voice, especially Ricciarelli and Carreras. The one trouble is that this is a very "live" recording. The closest miking in the recording is of some people with very juicy coughs. Apparently the same individuals -- at least ones as closely miked -- also tended to cover final notes with clapping or roars of Bravo. Despite this, it is a very exciting recording which I anticipate enjoying again and again"

If You Can Deal With the Poor Sound Quality, It's Terrific!

Jon M. De Benedictis | Fairfield, CT United States | 12/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Verdi's LUISA MILLER, like his earlier ERNANI , and his later SIMON BOCCANEGRA, is a tremendously underrated work. It contains some amazing music and has a very touching story. One of the reasons for its lack of popularity is that, once again like ERNANI and SIMON BOCCANEGRA, it falls flat without a solid ensemble and, these days, rarely gets one. The MET's recent new production, which I saw, with Barbara Frittoli, Neil Shicoff and Roberto Frontali was as close to solid as one could find these days.
This performance, from the mid-70's, is as solid as it gets. What you have here is three leads, heard in their prime, and a strong, supporting cast of provincial singers. All in all, it works quite well. The one major drawback is, as always, the sound quality of Opera D'Oro recordings. This one is far from ideal. If you can get past that, though, brace yourself!
This is a fiery, passionate performance. Listening to Katia Ricciarelli here makes me sad. What a beautiful voice that was in its youth! Unfortunately, she bullied her voice into heavier roles (she recorded Tosca and Turandot for Von Karajan- big mistake!), and the voice quickly declined. At least we have this live performance to hear what her voice was like at its best. Had she not taken the wrong path, we'd be talking about her today as one of the premier sopranos of her generation.
Speaking of wrong career paths and bullying voices, the Rodolfo here is Jose Carreras. Before the three tenors, before his much publicized courageous bout with leukemia, and before he unwisely ventured into heavy territory with roles like ANDREA CHENIER and Calaf in TURANDOT, Carreras possesed an amazing, passionate, lyric tenor voice. The role of Rodolfo, like the Rodolfo in LA BOHEME, seems tailor made for his voice. You will be hard pressed to find a better Carreras performance.
Italian Baritone Renato Bruson is still singing these days, but, now in his mid-sixties, his voice can, obviously, not compare to what it sounds like here. His Miller proves he is one of the finest Verdi baritones in years.
Once again, if you are willing to sacrifice sound quality, get this recording to savor the voices of three great singers on a night when everything seemed to click."