Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Claudio Abbado, Piero Cappuccilli :: Verdi: Simon Boccanegra / Abbado

Sheer perfection.......

Jon M. De Benedictis | Fairfield, CT United States | 08/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even the mediocre sound quality can't stop me from giving this recording 5 stars!! This is an amazing performance of one of Verdi's most neglected masterpieces. The cast is almost identical to that of the legendary DG studio recording with the exception of Gianni Raimondi in this one instead of Jose Carreras (Raimondi is much better). The entire cast seems to feed off one another and the audience quite well. As good as the cast is, though, the real star is Claudio Abbado who all but steals the show...
This recording is a must at this price!"

Boccanegra recordings compared.

Thomas W. Fina | Alexandria, VA United States | 05/16/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Boccanegra ranks for me with Don Carlos and Othello as a composition. I have heard it performed at La Scala with the same principals as in the DG and the Allegro recordings that I can compare here. Unlike a professional reviewer, I can't remember how it sounded on the stage in 1978!



The Allegro CD recording was made during a live performance at La Scala in 1972. The DG tape version is a studio recording made in Milan in 1977. The casts are the same except that Correras replaces Raimondi in the DG version and von Dam does the same for Schiavi. Abbado conducts both and Gandolfi directs the chorus in the DG and probably in the Allegro. It is a thrilling performance in either recording.



The DG version is the clearer with less background noise. Every word is intelligible (if you follow the libretto!). The Allegro version has the usual sound of shuffling feet on the stage and there are a few barely audible passages when the singers appear not to be facing the microphones. But, for the rest, all the words are intelligible. It includes bursts of live applause. The orchestra and chorus are very well recorded as are all the highlight scenes.



At its modest price, the Allegro CD seems to me a good buy."

Wonderful Verdi !

Ailsaellen | Palo Alto, CA USA | 12/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this opera must be Verdi's most musical and emotional music...I just love it! I have seen a stage production and instantly loved the music and then I bought this CD. The wonderful arias are full of melody, emotion and drama....I love the short overture, a wistful musical entry into the world of great singing. This CD is a live performance and the audience applause is a great release from some emotional arias.



The opera 'Simon Boccanegra' has the reputation of a comlex story and being hard to follow...not so. The story is one of the most interesting and real stories you will find on the opera stage.



Buy a CD of 'Simon Boccanegra', listen to it often and let the music swirl around you...you will love it!"