Customer Reviews

Emilia Di Liverpool Highlights

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You should consider owning this disc because of the price (cheap), the fact that Joan Sutherland and April Cantelo do some fine singing on it, and because it demonstrates that the world of opera is full of forgotten moments that are quite wonderful. Now that I have listened to it a few times, however, I cannot help but wonder just who it was that told the tenor in the bonus cuts of Lucia, that he could sing. Here is some of the most unattractive singing you will ever hear, anywhere. His sound is always nasal and strangled. Fortunately, he does do diminish some really spectacular singing by Joan Sutherland. I hear that there is always a shortage of tenorial talent, but this defies logic or reason.

This CD includes a 1957 broadcast of highlights of Donizetti's Emilia di Liverpool to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the granting of a charter to Liverpool by King John. The cast is notable primarily for the performance of the young Joan Sutherland, singing here a year and a half before her great success as Lucia.

Emilia ... Joan Sutherland
Candida ... April Cantelo
Bettina ... April Cantelo
Colonello Tompson ... William McAlpine
Conte Asdrubale ... Hervey Alan
Claudio, Emilia's father ... Denis Dowling

The most memorable performances come from Sutherland and Dowling, but everyone sings well. The freshness of Sutherland's voice is a constant delight. As great as she became, there will always be something special about these early recordings. Sure, her E-flat isn't as secure as it would be in a year, but it is still excellent.

Don't expect Emilia di Liverpool to be another Lucia di Lammermoor or L'Elisir d'Amore. It is immensely enjoyable music, but not as great as Donizetti could achieve. Most of the selections come from Act 1, but the most memorable piece is the Act 2 finale, which provides a splendid vehicle for Sutherland's virtuosity.


A word about the Lucia bonus tracks: they derive from the broadcast of the second or third of Sutherland's performance in the 1959 Covent Garden production of Lucia di Lammermoor. Included is Lucia's opening scene (Regnava / Quando, rapito), the conclusion of her duet with Edgardo (Verranno a te sull'aure), and the Mad Scene. All of it is pitched correctly, which could be a boon for those of you who have the ROH release of this performance, which pitched up the Mad Scene a half step. (A correctly pitched full release is also available.)

Sutherland is on fire in this performance. Even these brief excerpts show why she rocketed to stardom after less than a half dozen performances of one opera. Stunning acting, stunning voice -- one of her greatest accomplishments. Joao Gibin as Edgardo is not as sweet-toned, but manages well enough. Kudos to Margreta Elkins for singing an actually memorable Alisa.


The sound in both excerpts is limited mono, but is still relatively good for the time. A good supplement to the usual Sutherland recordings. Also available (without the Lucia excerpts, I believe) here.