Verdi's first thoughts a must for Verdi lovers!
Ronald F. Payne | Alexandria, VA United States | 01/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I second Robert Levine's recommendation. Better paced than the Dynamic label recording of the original "MacBeth", the Opera Rara recording also features a lavishly illustrated libretto. A must for Verdi fanatics."
Historically fascinating - and an excellent souvenir of some
Ralph Moore | Bishop's Stortford, UK | 03/30/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you speak French, I suggest that you disregard M. Declercq's absurd and discourteous rant; this recording features some of the finest British voices of the 70's and 80's in an enterprising account of the earlier (1847) version of a perennial Verdi favourite. The set has both great artistic and musicological interest and makes a fascinating comparison with the revised 1865 version - the one invariably performed today. Fans of the late Rita Hunter might have fond memories of her stunning performances in Wagnerian roles; she had a voice of formidable size and laser-like penetration and here applies it tellingly to create a truly demonic Lady Macbeth - exactly as Verdi wanted it: "the voice of a she-devil". Peter Glossop, also recently deceased, never had the juiciest Verdi baritone but he used his sizeable voice judiciously and expressively; his breath control rivals that of Cappuccilli and despite a certain dryness of tone really inhabits the character of Macbeth. The supporting cast is strong, especially the under-rated and under-recorded Kenneth Collins, who had a real spinto Verdi tenor; I retain a vivid aural memory of his impressve Manrico in the ENO "Il Trovatore" and here he makes a plangent Macduff. John Matheson's conducting is lean and incisive, the chorus more than adequate.
This is now available on Amazon Marketplace much more reasonably than its original issue price. It makes an excellent supplement to a modern recording of the later version such as that by Abbado with Cappuccilli and Verrett."
Verdi's original will not disappoint
Brian Lowery | Kearneysville, WV | 12/06/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A must for lovers of Verdi's Macbeth! The principals, chorus, and orchestra are a cut-above; the recording flawless; and the physical package, including the libretto, is simply the best, but that is not what sets this CD apart from all the others. It is like a trip in a time machine, going back to hear how Verdi wrote it originally! I was excited to hear each note that was different from the familiar 1865 version. Don't let the high price discourage you, because it is worth it. I have spent way more on one opera ticket and have not been as entertained. This recording will give you an experience close to live opera, because you don't quite know what is going to happen next. I am so glad that I have it in my collection."
