Search - Plácido Domingo, Aprile Millo, Florence Quivar :: Verdi: Luisa Miller - Metropolitan Opera

A lovely Luisa

J. Luis Juarez Echenique | Mexico City | 09/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just can't understand what happened to Aprile Millo, for some 5 years she sang magnificently and seemed the soprano we had been waiting for decades, and then the voice was gone and her international career was over. At least she left a handful of opera recordings very much worth collecting: Aida, Trovatore, Don Carlo and this Luisa Miller. Unfortunately she never recorded Ballo and Forza, she would have been wonderful as Amelia and Leonora di Vargas. In this recording of Luisa Miller her voice can be heard at its best, true spinto singing in the mold of Zinka Milanov. She has strong support from that fine baritone Vladimir Chernov, who sadly has also been having vocal difficulties lately. Both are very moving as father and daughter, and it's wonderful to hear two real Verdi voices together. Placido Domingo in his second recording as Rodolfo is still in fresh voice and totally involved. Is this the best Luisa Miller? Well no, there are 2 other recordings at least as good: the DG Maazel with Ricciarelli, Domingo and Bruson, and the DECCA Maag with Pavarotti, Caballe and Milnes. Katia Ricciarelli was very special as Luisa, probably her finest recording ever, and the great Renato Bruson was incomparable as Miller, if forced to choose, this will be my favourite recording. The Pavarotti/Caballe is marvelous too, especially for Caballe in one of her finest recordings, the voice itself unbelievably beautiful, if not as touching as Ricciarelli. All three recordings are admirable and worth owning."

Millo in riveting vocal beauty

J.gandolfini | rome, italy | 09/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What happened to Aprile Millo? A twenty year career that is still going strong. You might just ave to travel to hear her as she has perfroms exclusively in the USA. Her recent Adriana Lecouveur in New York was a towering example of italian phrasing,piani, and the style of singing not heard at all these days. To have had this glorious artist in this fabulous Luisa, the third act is such a momumental thing of beauty you have to buy this just to hear it. Domingo is ardent, Chernov is Verdian, very rare, and
Levine lets the music take us to pardise. One should hear her live, but this is just the right record to have until you do....
Millo, the last of the true great Italian Sopranos."

The unique verdian soprano voice

Juan Henríquez | Canary Islands, Spain | 02/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Aprile Millo is the greatest soprano of these days. Many people thinks she is over, but does not correct. Just listen her singing Maddalena (Andrea Chenier - Metropolitan Season 92/93). Few words: the great voice at her best. Full of power, energy and sharing with the audience her energy. She is the best Luis Miller and the best performer on this recording. Just the last track of the opera takes full value. Enjoy it!"