Giacomo Puccini: Madama Butterfly - Mirella Freni / José Carreras / Teresa Berganza / Juan Pons / Ambrosian Opera Chorus / Philharmonia Orchestra / Giuseppe Sinopoli [Box set]

Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Giuseppe Sinopoli (Conductor), Philharmonia Orchestra (Orchestra), Mirella Freni (Performer), José Carreras (Performer), Teresa Berganza (Performer), Juan Pons (Performer), Anthony Laciura (Performer), Kurt Rydl (Performer), Marianne Rorholm (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Mirella Freni, José Carreras, Teresa Berganza, Juan Pons, Anthony Laciura, et al.
• Orchestra: Philharmonia Orchestra
• Conductor: Giuseppe Sinopoli
• Composer: Giacomo Puccini
• Audio CD (September 12, 1989)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001G9A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,065 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #27 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Freni, Mirella

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very masterful performance, July 23, 2004

By 

M. Mclain "liqwidfrog" (VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Giacomo Puccini: Madama Butterfly - Mirella Freni / José Carreras / Teresa Berganza / Juan Pons / Ambrosian Opera Chorus / Philharmonia Orchestra / Giuseppe Sinopoli (Audio CD)

I have the equally impressive Karajan recording and only listened to this one to try and get a feeling for Sinopoli's conducting. I was expecting to be disappointed, but I had quite the opposite experience. I am a little confused about the comments about this recording, since I am not familiar with Sinopoli's controversial reputation; this seems as orthodox recording as one could expect (and no where near as heavy handed as Karajan (the only serious rival)). The tempos are very expressive, especially in the first act when there are dramatic and sudden shifts that are handled masterfully. He masters the subtleties quite well, managing to restrain the passion and yet exploding at the right moments, always with a tremendous amount of control. I was blown away by the sheer beauty and total lack of sentimentality. It's definitely a very Italian recording, with a much more restrained and tempered orchestral sound than the Wagner-like Karajan recording. Carreras sounds beautiful, quite a different sound than Pavoratti (on the Karajan). Really both are suited very well for the different conductors, and since both recordings star Freni (odd coincidence? of course not, she's the Puccini soprano of our lifetimes) you can rest assured that the incredibly difficult task of Cio Cio San will be handled. The most glaring advantage over the Karajan recording is the better balance between orchestra and vocalists. Sinopoli's style is very clear and balanced, fairly opaque but very sensitive. Imagine James Levine, but instead of playing every note robotically, playing with the same quality sound in a very passionate and fiery but restrained way. I think it is a very beautiful and sensitive recording; it's also such a perfect effort that many may miss just how astounding it is. I have a hard time believing that this will disappoint anyone, although the price will be a definite limit to less adventurous buyers.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Lovely Butterfly, August 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Giacomo Puccini: Madama Butterfly - Mirella Freni / José Carreras / Teresa Berganza / Juan Pons / Ambrosian Opera Chorus / Philharmonia Orchestra / Giuseppe Sinopoli (Audio CD)

No one could make Puccini's music live as Mirella Freni did. She is superb as Butterfly on this recording. Jose Carreras may have been past the glorious lyric voice of his early days, but his Pinkerton is emotionally wonderful.

There may be strong versions of this opera, but I have never heard one with more emotion.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest Butterfly On Record Hands Down, September 28, 2005

By 

Rudy Avila "Saint Seiya" (Lennox, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Giacomo Puccini: Madama Butterfly - Mirella Freni / José Carreras / Teresa Berganza / Juan Pons / Ambrosian Opera Chorus / Philharmonia Orchestra / Giuseppe Sinopoli (Audio CD)

This is a terrific 1980's recording from Deutsche Grammophone. On stores it is rather pricy but on Amazon you can get it at an affordable price. This Butterfly is the incomparable Mirella Freni, in sumptuous voice, Jose Carreras is a rather fine Pinkerton, Juan Pons is Sharpless and mezzo soprano Teresa Berganza is Susuki, the Ambrosian Opera Chorus and Philharmonia Orchestra is conducted by the brilliant and late Giusepppe Sinopoli. I own Mirella Freni's Tosca, also under Sinopoli's baton and also from DG, and I can see why Puccini heroines who are both beautiful but feisty are her specialty, for both her Tosca and Butterfly are nearly in the same level. Mirella Freni surprises me each time I hear her. While she is not a true lyric-spinto or powerfully huge voice, she is sharp and strong and her chest voice is generous, her high register is beautiful. As Butterfly, she encompasses the naivete and romantic nature of the 15 yr old ex-Geisha who falls in love with a self-indulgent and careless American soldier who has no intention of staying married to her. The heartbreak of the finale in which the dishonored Ciao-Ciao San commits Hari Kiri (suicide by sword)is never more powerfully performed than on this disc and in the hands of Mirella Freni it is a moving experience.