129.00 PLN

2 CD:

Nr kat.: PO1023
Label  : Ponto

PhantomOfTheOpera 5.0 out of 5 stars Don't settle with the highlights. Splash out and buy the complete opera September 27, 2005 This cd was bought in error in a hurry at the airport in Athens some weeks ago. I thought that what I had bought was the complete opera and was really pleased that I had found it and my disappointment was even bigger when I realized it was only the highlight edition of the opera. And after listening to the highlights I have now ordered the "real stuff" because I can't go on without knowing what's supposed to be in between the arias on my disc...... This recording is from 1981 and all the singers are in really good voice. In my opinion Katia Ricciarelli sings wonderful. Some critics have said that her voice was only good from the middle register and down, but I have to disagree. Even if her voice changed over the years it still kept its beauty and it never became shrill. (I have to admit that I'm allergic to sopranos that end up sounding shrill and squeaky.) So to my possibly untrained ears Ricciarelli sings the part of Leonora with emotion and involvement and a voice that it's more than pleasant listening to. José Carreras sings the part of Manrico with his usual involvement, a heroic tone and a youthful ardour. His voice is strong and powerful with that irresistibly hint of honey..... Just listen to his "Mal regendo all'aspro assalto" or "Ah, si ben mio" or any other line he might have in the arias. He is actually the main reason why I'm getting the complete opera and not settling with the highlights. Even if his singing in the rest of the opera is only half as good as in the arias on my cd it's still singing to die for..... And to those claiming that his voice isn't powerful enough - just listen to his singing in "Di quella pira". This is quite a difficult aria to sing and can very easily end up as just one long shout. However, not in the voice of Carreras. His rendition of this aria will most definitely knock your socks off!!! Stefania Tocsyzka is a singer I didn't know of until I heard her on this disc, but so far her singing sounds more than fine to me. Yuri Masurok is really good in the role of Il conte. I like his rendition of "Il balen del suo soriso", and Robert Lloyd as Ferrando is also a very good choice. The whole cast contribute to making the opera worth while. At last, a word of praise to the conductor Sir Colin Davis. He is one of my favourite conductors because he doesn't let the singers get overwhelmed by the orchestra. And in this recording he lets the singers shine while the orchestra is following them beautifully. In my opinion this is the way it should be done. Bravo! I'm so looking forward to getting the complete opera; I simply can't wait.....