Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE Dream Cast Chenier!, May 5, 2000
This review is from: Andrea Chenier (Audio CD)
This recording of Andrea Chenier is perfect from start to finish. The entire cast Domingo, Milnes, and Scotto are perfect in their respective roles. This is some of the finest singing, I believe, Domingo has ever done (with the possible exception of the Tosca with Price). This also appears to be, in my estimation, the most emtionally involved Domingo ever became with a recorded performance (I submit "Un di all' Azurro Spazio" for your approval). Truly a GREAT interpretation from Maestro Domingo (the "Un di..." is SOMEWHAT reminiscent of the great Mario Lanza, whom I feel would have been THE perfect Chenier). You should love Domingo on this recording, even if you are not normally a Domingo fan. The Gerrard of Sherrill Milnes is also quite compelling. Milnes certainly outdoes himself on the highly dramatic aria "Nemico Della Patria". The Baritone really shines on his entire portrayal of Gerrard here. Scotto is simply great in her portrayal of Maddalena (yes Callas can be found on a PIRATED recording of a LIVE PERFORMANCE of Chenier, but SHE NEVER WENT INTO A RECORDING STUDIO to immortalize her performance, which was a real pity). Scotto and Domingo are simply breathtaking in their final duet, "La Nostra Morta". The music in Andrea Chenier is some of the most beautiful in all of opera. Maestro James Levine does an excellent job of keeping the excitement and passion level high in this recording, which is a necessity in ANY performance of Andrea Chenier. Truly one of the finest operatic recordings of all time. If you're looking for a recording of Andrea Chenier, here it is. This reviewer believes this (along with the Gigli recording in Mono) is the best recording of Andrea Chenier ever made, beating out those recordings that retail at much higher prices. Andrea Chenier is a must for anybody's opera collection and THIS recording of the Giordano masterpiece is the Chenier to get. Truly 5 stars!
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Most Moving, January 25, 2000
This review is from: Andrea Chenier (Audio CD)
I have to admit, this is my favourite version of this opera. It is not one often performed, and the reasons are clear, it just isn't easy to perform. It requires very deeply felt commitment to the characters, the music, and the historical time of this opera. It is one of those actual historical operas where the characters were real people. For north Americans ( who are usually "lady audiences" ), there is no big moment, save "la mamma morte" in the whole work for the soprano. This is a man's opera, and it deals with the trials of standing up for ones beliefs, at all costs. And that heroic attitude is well felt throughout this recording. Levine is wonderous with just the correct emotional support for the singers, and his reading of this score is clean. Domingo is by far the best Chenier I have heard, and Milnes is spine-tingling with his portrail of the jealous and bitter Germand, who eventually out of love reveals his noble character. Scotto is heart breaking, especially at the end of the trial scene where Chenier is ordered to die. It amazes me what she brings out of this role. Only one singer brought as much, and that I know only from a pirated recording, and that was Magda Olivero. Oh, buy this recording and let yourself be swept away in the world of the french revolution, and let your heart weep with the unhappy lives of the characters -- no recording will do it better.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No Recording will surpass this!!!!!, September 21, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Andrea Chenier (Audio CD)
This recording is the epitome of quality. While I respect Placido Domingo, I take exception to Sherrill Milnes, whose role as Carlo Gerard makes you think he really is Gerard of the French Revolution. CD 2, track 6 begins Gerard's spelling bounding aria as he pens the execution edict for the poet and French Revolutionary defector, Andrea Chenier, who also has the attention of Maddalena di Coigny, the woman Gerard loves so passionately. Milnes' bold and colorful baritone will make you feel the anger, pain, yet understanding of Coigny's love for Chenier. Play it until you can feel it. This opera is for the romantic. As a 30 year old generation X'er, I appeal to my peers--explore your romantic side--feel--not listen--to this opera. Too bad this opera does not get the attention of many opera company's. But that's the beauty-I make a special effort to stay on the mailing lists of all majors, and at times small, opera companies to see this very special operatic treat.
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