Geraldine Farrar in Italian Opera

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari (Composer), Antonio Scotti (Performer), Enrico Caruso (Performer), Geraldine Farrar (Performer), Gina Viafora (Performer), Josephine Jacoby (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Antonio Scotti, Enrico Caruso, Geraldine Farrar, Gina Viafora, Josephine Jacoby
• Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giacomo Puccini, Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari
• Audio CD (May 2, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nimbus Records
• ASIN: B0000037KF
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #228,425 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492: Voi che sapete

2. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527: Batti batti, o bel Masetto

3. Le donne curiose, opera: Rimprovera la mia curiosita...Tuta per te

4. Il segreto di Susanna, opera: O giola la nube leggera

5. La bohème, opera: Si, mi chiamano Mimì

6. La bohème, opera: O soave fanciulla

7. La bohème, opera: Mimì! Speravo di trovarvi qui

8. La bohème, opera: Donde lieta usci

9. La bohème, opera: Addio dolce svegliare

10. Tosca, opera: Ora stammi a sentir

11. Tosca, opera: Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore

12. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Amore o grillo

13. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Ancora un passo

14. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Ieri son salita

15. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Un po' di vero c'è...

16. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Un bel dì vedremo

17. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Ora a noi

18. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Sai cos' ebbe cuore...Che tua madre

19. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Tutti i fior

20. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Non ve l'avevo detto

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to Geraldine Farrar, March 29, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Geraldine Farrar in Italian Opera (Audio CD)

Geraldine Farrar was a heralded soprano of the first portion of the 20th century. This welcome NIMBUS album catches her in the freshness of her career. The recordings (acoustic) took place when she was in her mid-20s to about 30. The technology will not allow listeners to get a true sense of her voice; nonetheless, one can get an idea of her art from this.

Some illustrative "cuts":

"Voi che sapete" from Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" is nicely done. She displays a smooth voice, In short, this is a pleasing version of this work.

"Batti batti, o bel Masetto" (from Mozart's "Don Giovanni") is touchingly sung by Farrar. She displays an affecting voice here. There is no harshness in her singing, and she exhibits what I think of as good vocal technique. In short, an affecting version of an affecting aria. Toward the end, she demonstrates some vocal agility.

One of the glorious arias for sopranos is the touching "Si, mi chiamano Mimi" from Puccini's "La Boheme." Her voice appears to fit this work nicely. The characterization is nicely done. Overall, a nice rendition. On rare occasions, there is a certain tonal harshness, but this might well be a result of the technology of recording.

The next item, sung with Enrico Caruso and Farrar from "La Boheme," "O soave fanciulla," is one of the great duets in opera. Caruso was at his peak at this time. His rich voice works well for his character--and works well with Farrar. When their voices first join, it sends a little good bump up the spine. A nice version!

Finally, another Puccini aria, from "Madame Butterfly," "Un bel di vedremo." This is a dramatic rendering of a wonderful aria. Farrar's lower tones mesh well with the higher register. This is smoothly and richly sung.

All in all, this appears to be a very strong introduction to the work of Geraldine Farrar. Thanks, again, to NIMBUS records for making this available.