Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Lamberto Gardelli, New Philharmonia Orchestra :: Verdi: I Masnadieri

The well-deserved re-release of a classic revelation

R. W. Bannon | Kent, WA United States | 08/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beginning in the early 70's, Lamberto Gardelli set out to create the first modern/stereo recordings of Verdi's earliest and most neglected works for Phillips, and later, Orfeo. First came I Lombardi, known at the least for its Trio, and "Attila." Then came "Un Giorno di Regno", which featured the relatively unknown (at the time) American soprano, Jessye Norman, and a young tenor, Jose Carreras. All three good recordings, with some very accomplished singing and committed playing/conducting. Then came I Masnadieri, cast perfectly, sung magnificently, and possessing powerful and beautiful music which was virtually unknown at the time; a revelation then and a joy now. Bergonzi is the perfect Verdi tenor, lyric when required, impassioned at other times without become coarse. Caballe is exquisite, spinning one beautiful line after another, while also capable of dramatic involvement. Cappuccilli's character is one of the great snarling baritone roles of Italian opera, who suffers through a condemnation scene towards the end of the opera which is a precursor of the Phillip/Inquisitor scene in Don Carlo years later. Raimondi, John Sandor, and others complete a great cast. The orchestra and chorus are terrific, the conducting is impassioned, and the sound has the terrific punch that Phillips recordings were known for."