Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur [Import]

James Levine (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 31, 2009)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
• ASIN: B001UJSW6Y
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #81,477 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #83 in Music > Imports > Opera & Vocal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the finest opera recordings ever - now in a bargain edition, December 15, 2009

By 

Ralph Moore "Ralph operaphile" (Bishop's Stortford, UK) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur (Audio CD)

Despite my loyalty to Olivero, Corelli and Bastianini in the live 1959 Naples recording - one of the greatest documents of its kind - I have to give this 1977 set pride of place. First, the sound is amazingly clear and atmospheric; secondly, Levine's direction is so sensitive and fluent, wholly responsive to the ebb and flow of this rip-roaring verismo classic; thirdly, the singers surpass themselves: Milnes creates a fully rounded, subtly sung Michonnet and really draws out the character's pathos; Domingo is heroic and nuanced, Scotto sublime in the depth of her characterisation and the delicacy of her quieter singing, Obratsova stupendously powerful and stirring as the jealous Princess - and even the supporting cast is flawless; especially good is the bass who sings the Prince, Giancarlo Luccardi, a singer unknown to me but who ought to be more famous. OK, the beat in Scotto's voice in louder, higher passages, just slightly bothers me, but her artistry virtually silences criticism.

I still love the old Naples version and have time, too, for Tebaldi and Del Monaco in their barn-storming performance, but this is the set to introduce anyone frightened of opera to a truly memorable, melodic, dramatic experience - a wonderful recording which makes me wonder why this most tuneful and gripping of operas (despite the hokey denouement) is not more often performed.

P.S. Be warned - no libretti in this series, only synopses.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This "Adriana" gets an A+!, January 20, 2011

By 

Y. Shuster (forest hills, New York United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur (Audio CD)

This is an absolutely excellent recording of one of the most underated operas in history! To listen to the superb singing of every member of this cast - Scotto in the title role, Domingo as Maurizio, and Milnes as Michonnet, all under the sure and excellent hand of James Levine, is to be transported to a world of sound, colour, drama, and passion to rival much of what Verdi and Puccini wrote.

Having listened to this recording many, many times, the only conclusion that I can come to as to why "Adriana" is not performed or recorded more is that these are hard economic times, and there is only so much time, resources and money to produce operas. The powers that be, therefore, must devote themselves to the tried and true big name staples that keep the opera houses open. Yet, happily, you do not need to go to the opera house to hear "Adriana." You can purchase this important and satisfying recording of it. If you admire Italian verismo opera you will not be disappointed by this opera or this recording!