Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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

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!

Dame Joan's Amina is by far the best ever recorded ! She has the trills, coloratura, the purity of tone, and the big beautiful voice to make this role her own. If you prefer acting to bel-canto, Callas's is acceptable, but next to Joan Sutherland's clear tones, I find Callas's "hollow" sound difficult to take at times.

This is the best La Sonnambula ever put on disc. This opera belongs to Joan Sutherland and she is in scintillating form. Forget the prima-donna- Maria Callas-trying-to-be-innocent-ingenue recording - this is the REAL sonnambulist. Do not go for Sutherland's second go at the opera! This one is the one to have!

Having been lucky enough to have been present at BOTH of these performances, I can say these are a MUST in any ones collection who really loves and appreciates the very best in great singing, period! No theatrics, no gimmicks and EVERY singer gives 150%! I am now 70 yrs old and STILL, what hair I have left stands on end and still I get goosebumps!