Customer Reviews

Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande ~ Abbado

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Wtih Decca's bargain release of Ansermet's classic Pelleas et Melisande, this live radio broadcast from La Scala runs into stiff competition. The reviewer below objects to audience noise, but it isn't really excessive if you exercise some tolerance--the coughs seem more prominent chiefly because Debussy's score is so soft. The singers are at the very least good (Goloaud, Arkel) to outstanding (Pelleas, Melisande), and the FM stereo sound is very listenable. Best of all is Abbado's sensitive conducting and his ability to make the sometimes scrappy La Scala orchestra sound first-rate. This live reading is less cautious than his DG studio recording, itself a fine performance.

In all, if you can get a used copy for under $10, this very respectable release is a steal.

BEWARE OF THIS RECORDING. It may appear to be a bargain, but the music is obscured by obtrusively loud audience noises. Also the lack of a decent synopsis, a printed libretto, and scene-divided tracks further diminishes the value of this recording. Buy the Karajan version, an excellent purchase despite the high price.