Bellini: La Sonnambula (complete opera) - Live Performance New York 5 December 1961 / Bellini: I Puritani (excerpts) Edinburgh 8 September 1960 [Box set]

Vincenzo Bellini (Artist), Joan Sutherland (Artist), Nicola Rescigno (conductor) (Artist), Renato Cioni (Artist), Ezio Flagello (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 11, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Standing Room Only
• ASIN: B0000019VD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #972,126 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Act I: Viva! Viva Amina! - Nicola Rescigno

2. Act I: Tutto E Gioia, Tutto E Festa - Armand McLane/Eileen Di Tullio

3. Act I: In Elvezia Non V'Ha Rosa - Armand McLane/Eileen Di Tullio

4. Act I: Care Compagne - Joan Sutherland

5. Act I: Come per Me Sereno - Joan Sutherland

6. Act I: Sovra Il Sen La Man Mi Posa - Joan Sutherland

7. Act I: Io Piu Di Tutti, O Amina - Joan Sutherland/Armand McLane/Eileen Di Tullio/Betty Allen

8. Act I: Perdona, O Mia Diletta - Renato Cioni/Joan Sutherland

9. Act I: Prendi: L'Anel Ti Dono - Renato Cioni/Joan Sutherland

10. Act I: Scritti Nel Ciel Gia Sono - Betty Allen

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Act II. Qui La Selva E Piu Folta Ed Ombrosa - Nicola Rescigno

2. Act II. Reggimi, O Buona Madre - Joan Sutherland/Betty Allen

3. Act II. Vedi, O Madre...Tutto E Sciolto - Joan Sutherland/Renato Cioni

4. Act II. Viva Il Conte! - Joan Sutherland/Renato Cioni/Betty Allen

5. Act II. Ah! Perche Non Posso Odiarti - Renato Cioni

6. Act II. E Fia Pur Vero, Elvino - Ezio Flagello/Armand McLane/Renato Cioni

7. Act II. Tacciamo, Tacciamo - Betty Allen/Eileen Di Tullio/Renato Cioni/Ezio Flagello/Armand McLane

8. Act II. Oh! Se Una Volta Sola Riverderlo Io Potessi - Joan Sutherland/Betty Allen/Renato Cioni/Ezio Flagello

9. Act II. Ah! Non Credea Mirarti - Joan Sutherland/Renato Cioni

10. Act II. No, Piu Non Reggo - Joan Sutherland/Renato Cioni/Ezio Flagello/Betty Allen

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravissima!!!, May 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini: La Sonnambula (complete opera) - Live Performance New York 5 December 1961 / Bellini: I Puritani (excerpts) Edinburgh 8 September 1960 (Audio CD)

Sutherland was in her absolute prime in this Sonnambula.We're talking about the only dramatic coloratura of this century. Her trill was ravishing, the staccati, awesome, the fioritura fast and dead accurate, and the most breathtaking high notes I've ever heard. And that gorgeous, big, warm voice of hers, so effortless even during the most fiendishly difficult arias. Cioni is OK as Elvino. But who cares, Sutherland's Amina is the center of attention here. This Sonnambula is far better than Sutherland's later version with Pavorotti.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brava! Diva!, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini: La Sonnambula (complete opera) - Live Performance New York 5 December 1961 / Bellini: I Puritani (excerpts) Edinburgh 8 September 1960 (Audio CD)

Amina is one of Sutherland's signature roles. She sang it many times at the Met, the Sidney Opera House, and all over Europe. The music is fiendishly difficult, perhaps the most difficult music that Bellini ever wrote. Because of the extreme demands on the human voice, we really only have one choice in our selection of Sonnambula, and that is Sutherland, Sutherland, Sutherland. The music appears to be written for the diva's voice. There are so many trills, runs, staccatos and high E's here that I've lost count, and all sung to perfection of course by Miss Sutherland. The tenor here, Renato Cioni, is also quite good, managing Bellini's amazingly high tessitura marvelously. This set is among a handful of recordings that I'll never be without. P.S. This recording is far superior to Sutherland's later version with Pavorotti and light years better than Callas's

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sutherland IS Amina, July 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Bellini: La Sonnambula (complete opera) - Live Performance New York 5 December 1961 / Bellini: I Puritani (excerpts) Edinburgh 8 September 1960 (Audio CD)

Sutherland makes every vocal obstacle an opportunity to show off her PERFECT coloratura technique. Also, during her prime, Sutherland makes the biggest, most glorious sound I've ever heard. That legendary sound is at its best here. Every phrase, every trill, staccato, and high notes absolutely perfect!!! She really makes Amina's fiendishly difficult arias and duets seem like child's play. Truly the greatest coloratura soprano of our time. Note: Sutherland recorded a second Amina with Pavorotti which is also quite good. But I still feel that this is the DEFINITIVE recording, by far!