Bellini: Il Pirata

Vincenzo Bellini (Composer), Gianandrea Gavazzeni (Conductor), Rome RAI Orchestra (Orchestra), Bernabe Marti (Performer), Flora Rafanelli (Performer), Flora Raffanelli (Performer), Giuseppe Baratti (Performer), Montserrat Caballé (Performer), Piero Cappuccilli (Performer), Ruggero Raimondi (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Bernabe Marti, Flora Rafanelli, Flora Raffanelli, Giuseppe Baratti, Montserrat Caballé, et al.
• Orchestra: Rome RAI Orchestra
• Conductor: Gianandrea Gavazzeni
• Composer: Vincenzo Bellini
• Audio CD (August 5, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00001SVM2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,247 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bellini's masterpiece, June 27, 2000

By 

Fabian E. Robles (Bayamon, P.R USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellini: Il Pirata (Audio CD)

This is the first commercial recording of this opera, fortunately with an excellent and well known cast, except for virtually unknown tenor Bernabé Martí in the title role. But don't think he's not rendering a superb interpretation of Gualtiero. His is a liryc tenor with heroic thrust when needed, his colloratura is acceptable for the time it was recorded (1970) with no simplifications of the written lines as virtually every tenor did by then. He gets all the high notes marvelously, even surpassing Caballe's at the end of ensembles. With a couple of high D's ommited written in cadenzas(the creator of the role was Rubini, known to reach even high G's, but in that times these notes where executed in a kind of supported falsetto)he gives a couple more joined by high C's and the like. Caballé is simply spectacular: fluid colloratura and a kind of interpretation incomparable with any other. Her chest voice effects are really appropiate when used and her final mad scene is breathtaking. Unusually for her, she ends a couple of ensembles with the bravura high notes. She's just perfect. The rest of the cast is very well suited in their tasks and Maestro Gavazzeni does a wonderfull job with the right tempos in the right places. As for the story, it combines drama, jealousy, adventure, violence, action; all the rigth stuff to be a favorite. It is one of my favorites for the higlights as for the opera as a whole. That's why it was Bellini's first great succes, and a very well deserved one.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars By far Caballe's best studio recording!, March 25, 2002

By 

Armindo (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bellini: Il Pirata (Audio CD)

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed Caballe so much! This is one of her favourite roles and we hear why. It is also an answer to those who say that she can't sing the high notes. Just listen to the way she ends the ensembles and eventually the entire opera. Sure, her highest notes are not as secure as Sutherland's or Callas' but I couldn't care less. I can't listen to the boring Sutherland for more than an aria / cabaletta and Callas' piano sounds like speaking although I admire them both. Montserrat here is simply unsurpassed, justifying her title as the last true diva. A voice so radiant, clear and beautiful we definitely miss today.

Il Pirata has so many beautiful moments that I cannot understand why it is neglected. Maria Callas revived the score in the late 50s but from extracts that I have heard she doesn't sound as involved and enchanting as Caballe. Next to Caballe here is, her husband if I'm not mistaken, Bernabe Marti. He is the only thing I don't like in this recording. He sounds monotonous and sings loud most of the time but one gets used to him after a while and then he's ok. What a pitty that Kraus (as in the Lucrezia Borgia set) or Bergonzi (as in the Traviata) could not be in this recording. Capuccilli is good, though not an expert in bel canto. Raimondi is better. Maestro Gavazzeni is a very fine conduct. Never trying to compete with the singers or overpower them.

On the whole, a lovely opera and an amazing performance by Montserrat Caballe.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If You Don't Enjoy This Music, I'll Double Your Popcorn Back, November 15, 2003

By 

David R. Eastwood (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bellini: Il Pirata (Audio CD)

In his short life, Bellini was a major innovator. He was the ONLY composer that Richard Wagner praised whole-heartedly (and deliberately imitated in his "long melodies"). The plot of IL PIRATA is about as stupid as any in all of opera, but its music is out of this world. Here and there, one hears passages that remind us that this is the person who composed the far better-plotted and, rightly, more famous opera NORMA. Forget about IL PIRATA's plot and immerse yourself in this amazing man's music.