The Music Pages | July 2007

More releases from Decca's Classic Opera series, this batch focusing on the much vaunted Verdi cycle on Philips.

Cat. No.: 475 8289
Barcode: 0028947582892
Label: Decca 2CD
Release Date: 7 July

ESTES | NELSSON | WAGNER: The Flying Dutchman

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WAGNER: The Flying Dutchman

The Flying Dutchman is the earliest of Wagner's operas to have become part of the standard repertory and this recording is taken from the 1985 Bayreuth Festival.

Wagner composed the opera in 1840-41 and undertook revisions between 1842 and 1860, The premiere was given on 2 January 1843 at the Royal Saxon Court Theatre in Dresden; it was first seen in London (sung in Italian) at Drury Lane on 13 July 1870.

'Woldemar Nelsson, with the team he had worked with extensively through the [Bayreuth] season, conducts a performance even more glowing and responsively paced than those of his starrier rivals. The cast is more consistent than any, with Lisbeth Balslev as Senta firmer, sweeter and more secure than any current rival ... and Simon Estes a strong, ringing Dutchman, clear and noble of tone. Matti Salminen is a dark and equally secure Daland and Robert Schunk an ardent, idiomatic Erik ... the chorus is superb, wonderfully drilled and passionate with it ... the recording is exceptionally vivid and atmospheric ... on two discs only, it makes an admirable first choice.'
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

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Cat. No.: 475 8694
Barcode: 0028947586944
Label: Decca 2CD
Release Date: 7 July

CARRERAS | RICCIARELLI | GARDELLI
VERDI: La Battaglia di Legnano

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VERDI: La battaglia di Legnano

La battaglia di Legnano (The Battle of Legnano) was first given at the Teatro Argentina in Rome on 27 January 1849. It is Verdi's most patriotic opera and one that is a rarity in the theatre and on record.

'Gardelli directs a fine performance, helped by a strong cast of principals, with Carreras, Ricciarelli and Manuguerra all at their finest. Excellent recording.'
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

'Ricciarelli, Carreras and Manuguerra are remarkably good at creating genuine characters. The first two are also at the top of their form as singers.' Gramophone

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Cat. No.: 475 8703
Barcode: 0028947587033
Label: Decca 2CD
Release Date: 7 July

BERGONZI | CABALLÉ | GARDELLI | VERDI: I Masnadieri

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VERDI: I Masnadieri

I masnadieri (The Brigands) was composed between 1846-47 to a commission for an opera for London and it was first given at Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, London, in Juky 1847; it was first seen in Italy in February 1848 nat the Teatro Apollo in Rome.

'As this excellent Philips recording makes plain, the long neglect of I Masnadieri is totally undeserved ... With Gardelli as ever an urgently sympathetic Verdian, and a team of four excellent principals, splendidly recorded, the set can be warmly welcomed.'
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

'Bergonzi's clean-cut line is always a pleasure, and Caballe brings warmth, accomplishment and conviction to the difficult role first sung by Jenny Lind.' Gramophone

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Cat. No.: 475 8697
Barcode: 0028947586975
Label: Decca 2CD
Release Date: 7 July

CARRERAS | RICCIARELLI | GARDELLI
VERDI: I Due Foscari

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VERDI: I Due Foscari

I due Foscari was Verdi's first commission for Rome and he had first sketched out a synopsis for the opera in the summer of 1843. The libretto, by Piave, is a setting of Lord Byron's historical tragedy The Two Foscari and Verdi wrote the opera during the latter half of 1844; it was premiered in Rome at the Teatro Argentina on 3 November 1844 and the London premiere took place at Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, on 10 April 1857.

'The cast here is first rate, with Ricciarelli giving one of her finest performances in the recording studio to date and with Carreras singing tastefully as well as powerfully. The crispness of discipline among the Austrian Radio forces is admirable ... the Philips sound is impressively present and clear.'
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

'Here we have possibly the most worthwhile contribution of conductor and all three principals to opera on disc. Gardelli's unfussy, direct, supportive conducting can hardly be praised enough. When Verdi interpreters are so few and far between how admirable it is to hear Gardelli provide the right tempos, dynamics and rhythmic emphasis every time. Carreras....is here in pristine voice, singing his great prison scene with the utmost sincerity, adumbrating the character's desperation. Cappuccilli is absolutely in his element as the gloomy old Doge and father, a portrait to set alongside his superb Boccanegra. The breath control and cantabile he displays in his first aria, ''O vecchio cor'', is a classic of Verdi singing...Ricciarelli sings this difficult role with lustrous tone and unflinching attack: she has done nothing better on record. She floats a glorious A over the chorus in her first aria and finds no difficulty in the divisions, where she (and Verdi) condemn injustice. The very young Samuel Ramey makes much of little as the intriguing, vicious Loredano.

The recording, made in Vienna, is up to the high standards of the Philips Verdi series, and the radio forces there contribute effectively to the set's undoubted success. It should be desired by every Verdian.' Gramophone

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Cat. No.: 475 8700
Barcode: 0028947587002
Label: Decca 2CD
Release Date: 7 July

DEUTEKOM | DOMINGO | GARDELLI | VERDI: I Lombardi

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VERDI: I Lombardi

Verdi's I lombardi alla prima crociata (The Lombards at the First Crusade) was the composer's third commission for La Scala and his first opera to be performed in America. It was premiered at La Scala on 11 February 1843 and heard in London at Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, on 12 May 1846. It was revised in 1847 as Jérusalem.

this pioneering recording of the complete opera drew warm praise when first released and features a young Plácido Domingo in the role of the young Muslim prince, Oronte.

'Domingo as Oronte is in superb voice, and the villain Pagano is well characterised by Raimondi. Among the supporting cast Stafford Dean and Clifford Grant must be mentioned, and Gardelli conducts dramatically ... and the action projects vividly.'
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

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Cat. No.: 475 8706
Barcode: 0028947587064
Label: Decca 2CD
Release Date: 7 July

CARRERAS | BALTSA | DAVIS | SAINT-SAËNS: Samson et Dalila

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SAINT-SAËNS: Samson et Dalila

Samson et Dalila is one of the greatest French operas and one that has a firmly established place in the repertory of many opera houses today. It is unique in Saint-Saëns's substantial output of thirteen operas in that it is the only one to have achieved a regular place in the repertory.

The composer started work on the opera in 1868 and it was premiered at the Grand Ducal Theatre, Weimar, on 2 December 1877; the first French staging did not take place until 3 March 1890 at the Théâtre des Arts, Rouen.

'When the role of Samson is not one naturally suited to Carreras, it is amazing how strong and effective his performance is, even if top notes under stress grow uneven. Particularly after his near-fatal illness, the very strain seems to add to the intensity of communication, above all in the great aria of the last act ... the inspired conducting of Sir Colin Davis ... refined, atmospheric recording ... the new recording gains from splendid choral singing, vital in this work.'
The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

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