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35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
FINALLY ---- A GREAT RECORDING OF BELLINI'S "I CAPULETI", January 8, 2000
This review is from: Bellini - I Capuleti e i Montecchi / Kasarova · Mei · Vargas · Chiummo · Alberghini · R. Abbado (Audio CD)
Vincenzo Bellini's "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" is far less well known than his "Norma", "I Puritani", or "La Sonnambula", but it deserves to be heard much more frequently. The opera, of course, is Bellini's scoring of the Romeo and Juliet tragedy, but with a "trouser" mezzo soprano for the role of Romeo (the opera, however, has occasionally been done with a tenor Romeo, but, incredibly enough, with considerably less musical effect). If one can get past this (which a few may find a little difficult), they will discover what a lyrically beautiful opera "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" actually is. Bellini, the master of "bel canto melody", wrote for this opera some of the most moving and beautiful vocal music ever conceived for the singing voice. "Capuletti" has been recorded before (Beverly Sills and Janet Baker on EMI in 1976; Edita Gruberova and Agnes Baltsa, also on EMI in 1983), but never has it received a recording on the level of this one. Eva Mei, one of the most accomplished sopranos of recent years, is an exquisite Juliet. Her lyric soprano sound is ideal for the role, bringing out all of the fragility and pathos of the character. Vesselina Kasarova, I believe, is destined to be one of the great operatic artists of the new millenium. She uses her magnificent mezzo soprano like a master cellist, producing sounds that can only inspire superlatives. Each singer not only excells in their respective arias, but they reach mammoth heights in their duets. This is truly great singing ---- and as a bonus, we get to hear the recently up-and-coming tenor Ramon Vargas in the supporting role of Tebaldo. Robert Abbado conducts this beautiful opera as though he were discovering it for the first time ----- it comes off as a fresh and beautiful presentation, infinitely superior to the most immediately recent 1983 EMI recording. As is essential for this particular opera (or for most operas of the bel canto period), he allows his singers to sing ----- and they do some sublime singing. If you want to discover this opera, this is definitely the recording to do it with. If you already own one or both of the previous EMI versions, you need this one too. It's a jewel of a presentation all around.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bel Canto with Style and Substance!, July 18, 2000
By A Customer
This review is from: Bellini - I Capuleti e i Montecchi / Kasarova · Mei · Vargas · Chiummo · Alberghini · R. Abbado (Audio CD)
To me Bellini's operas have the grandeur and magistry of Beethoven's symphonies. They are stately, very beautiful, and carry the listener off into a wonderful world of sound, action and drama. This performance succeeds on so many levels. Next to Norma, this is my favorite Bellini opera. The libretto by Felice Romani, Bellini's favorite collaborator, is a masterpiece in it's way as much as Shakespeare's is in his (they are both based on similar sources of the Romeo and Juliet story). Both the music and the drama of this opera are compelling! Roberto Abbado conducts the orchestra with precision, elan, and transparent clarity. He never intrudes on the singers, but the grandeur of the music both preceeds and continues in the wake of the singers. Eva Mei has an indescribally beautiful voice (soprano). Her arias are a wonder! She can sing in the highest register with amazing control of pitch and dynamics. Vesselina Kasarova (mezzo) portrays Romeo very insightfully and her singing is gorgeous! My worry before I purchased this CD set was that the music might be beautiful in the bel canto style B.C. (Before Callas). This worry proved not to be founded. Kasarova and Mei definitely project drama and emotion into their artful singing, so that they are able to sweep the listener into the heart of this great tragic opera. In fact, their duet "Vieni,ah!in me riposa" has the force, beauty and drive of Callas and Stignani in Norma (1954,1955). And, of course, Roberto Vargas is another reason to own this magnificient recording. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Recording, November 5, 2001
This review is from: Bellini - I Capuleti e i Montecchi / Kasarova · Mei · Vargas · Chiummo · Alberghini · R. Abbado (Audio CD)
Reviewers and listeners please note: the libretto for this opera is NOT based on Shakespeare, whose Romeo and Juliet was not known in that part of of the world until much later... There is therefore no betrayal of the Bard. As for this recording, it is absolutely stunning: I have long admired Kasarova's voice, and was recently lucky enough to hear her sing Romeo live at the Lyric Opera in Chicago (anyone who can SHOULD... It's here in Chicago until 12/2/01). The other performers are also wonderful: I actually prefer Ramon Vargas to the tenor selected for Lyric's production. In short, there is nothing to disappoint here, so purchase and enjoy!
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