Customer Reviews

Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi / Larmore, Hong, et al

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

 

 

This recording sets a new standard forthis opera, and should emerge as the best recorded accounting of this opera. While the recent RCA recording is lovely, I found myself wanting to hear slightly more dramatic voices in the roles of Romeo, and Giulietta. In this recording I find I have everything I've waited to hear. Hong and Larmore are accomplised artists as are Mei and her Romeo, however I find that Hong and Larmore's voices are more appropriate and excitiing! Hong and Larmore have been singing together regularly in concert as well as in a collection of duets, and have perfected a wonderful blend to their sounds. Not only is their coluratura beautiful, but the dramatic esclamations are not lost, but fully realized. I hope this set is just the begining of their collaborations! Hong's silky beatifull Giuletta is unmatched, and Larmore's Romeo is heroric, and agile! This is the Bellini Romeo and Juliette to buy!

I readily acknowledge a passion for Bellini's wonderfully melodious music. But I Capuleti e i Montecchi is beautifully melodious even by Bellini's high standards. Furthermore, despite its beauty, it is not at all lacking in drama. This outstanding opera deserves a place in the standard repertoire. Perhaps this fine recording will help it gain the recognition which it so amply deserves.

Jennifer Larmore's magnificent, dusky mezzo-soprano voice is an instrument of perfection, as always, and Hei Kyung Hong, with whom Larmore often collaborates, is excellent. A real treat!!

Even though there is nothing basically "wrong" with this recording, I didn't find much to excite me either. Jennifer Larmore has been all over the place recently, recording Carmen, Hansel, Isabella and now Romeo, I honestly don't think she has matured every role (worst offender is of course, Carmen). Her best recording so far, has been ironically her first, Giulio Cesare with Rene Jacobs in Harmonia Mundi. Since she is so talented, I really wish she would reconsider her career before it's too late. The soprano sings well, but there is not much individuality in her voice, really, she could be anyone, just another pretty voice. I wonder if record companies have ever heard of Mariella Devia, the finest Italian coloratura in 20 years. Though it is certainly difficult to find, let me recommend you a much more memorable "I Capuleti e I Montecchi", it has the advantage of having 2 sopranos in the lead, but with readily distinctive voices> Giusy Devinu as Giulietta and Anna Caterina Antonacci as Romeo, both are extraordinary and remind us of another era of singing, when big personalities went hand in hand with great voices. Both sopranos melt icebergs in the duets and are utterly memorable. This recording is in Fonit Cetra/Ricordi and is a live performance from the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. All around, this is my favorite version. Otherwise the also live recording with Gruberova and Baltsa is more interesting than this (TELDEC) respectable good try.

The harp-accompanied section of Giulietta's aria, "O quante volte, quante", sounds suspiciously like Desdemona's harp-accompanied Willow Song from "Otello". Even the introductory harp notes of the Bellini aria resemble the introductory harp notes of Rossini's aria! Shame on Bellini for copying Rossini!