Customer Reviews

Anna Moffo: Arias

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For anyone not familiar with the American lyric-dramatic soprano Anna Moffo, this acclaimed disc of French and Italian arias comes as the perfect introduction. For others it will be a strong reminder of her art. This well-chosen recital combining some of the most popular pages in the operatic repertory (such as Mimi's aria from Puccini's "La Bohème" and the Bell Song from Delibes' "Lakmé") with lesser-known work (the Shadow Song from Meyerbeer's "Dinorah"), was recorded in Rome, in 1960 at an early stage of Moffo's career, and superbly reveals her beautiful coloratura, natural phrasing and always tasteful approach.

The Rome Opera Orchestra under veteran maestro Tullio Serafin provides the best possible accompaniment.

Now available in the SACD format, this enjoyable disc offers, more than in its previous guises, breathtaking presence, warmth and realism. The somewhat short running time reminds us of the LP days, but at a very competitive price this CD isn't to be missed.

The quality of Anna Moffo's voice is heads and tails above a five star rating.......... and the remastered recording lives up to that superbly versatile and stunning talent. What great sound.

What drags the rating down is the choice of music. Rather, I should say the lack of music. I certainly hope Anna carried lots of bucks off to the bank for selling out those talents showcasing this acrobatic, predicable, overplayed, uninspired, trashy operatic exhibition. Like they COULD have given her something worth singing.

A performance like this certainly deserves an encore........... maybe `the Blue Danube Waltz"?????

Come to think of it......... make it `the Blue Skirt Waltz'.

What a waste of talent!