Giuseppe Destefano: Historical Recordings 1952-63

Distefano (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• Label: Gala
• ASIN: B000001XLS
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,048 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. La bohème, opera: Che gelida manina

2. Rigoletto, opera: Questa o quella

3. La forza del destino, opera: La mia vita è inferno all'infinito...O tu che in seno agli angeli

4. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera: Fra poco a me ricovero

5. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera: Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali

6. Cavalleria rusticana, opera (melodramma) in 1 act: Viva il vino spumeggiante

7. Cavalleria rusticana, opera (melodramma) in 1 act: Mama, quel vina è generoso

8. La Traviata, opera: Un dì, felice, eterea

9. La Traviata, opera: De' miei bollenti spiriti

10. Rigoletto, opera: La donna è mobile

11. Turandot, opera: Nessun dorma

12. Aida, opera: Se quel querrier io fossi...Celeste Aïda

13. Un ballo in maschera, opera: La rivedrà nell'estasi

14. Un ballo in maschera, opera: Dì tu si fedele

15. Un ballo in maschera, opera: E scherzo o è follia

16. Turandot, opera: Non piangere, Liù

17. L'elisir d'amore, opera: Quanto è bella, quanto è cara

18. L'elisir d'amore, opera: Una furtiva lagrima

19. Luisa Miller, opera: Quando le sere al placido

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A musical history, December 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Giuseppe Destefano: Historical Recordings 1952-63 (Audio CD)

I purchased this recording when it first became available. It is an important for as a historical document on one of the greatest tenors in the history of opera. Yes, his voice has a very apparent decline. And yes track 18 (Una furitiva lagrima) has cracked notes and other obvious vocal flaws. What the other reviewer has missed (but the audience didn't - which is why the aria was greeted with such enthusiasm) was the passion, the emotion that Di Stefano put into his singing. I make no excuses, I am an ardent Di Stefano devotee. His early singing was glorious, pure beauty. His later singing lost it's pure beauty, but gained passion and emotion.

This disc is important because it traces this transition.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good CD for the price, August 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Giuseppe Destefano: Historical Recordings 1952-63 (Audio CD)

I have just listened to the whole CD and except for three tracks I think Pippo's singing is excellent.We have to listen to this CD for what it really is.A re-recording of live performances dating back almost 50 years.We can't expect today's digital quality recordings sound.On the first track,we hear Che Gelida Manina from a 31 year old Pippo who obviously was having a bad night,which is not uncommon with most singers.Tracks 18 & 19 definitely show Pippo in decline,but I didn't find band 18 as bad as another reviewer did.I counted only two vocal flaws.The rest of the aria is sung not that bad for a declining Pippo.Track 19 is sung well,but as in track 18 the voice sounds like it's getting tired.The rest of the singing on the CD,I enjoyed,especially the Addio Alla Madre.I would say that is my favorite on the CD.In my opinion,it's an ecellent CD for the price and it does contain some excellent singing and also is of historical value.

Pippo's Biggest Fan.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only for die-hard Di Stefano fans, March 23, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (San Jose, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Giuseppe Destefano: Historical Recordings 1952-63 (Audio CD)

I picked up this CD on a whim. The liner notes are useful, and describe the meteoric rise and fall of DiStefano's career, his temperment and ego.

The CD covers a period of only 11 years, but the deterioration of his voice during that period is frightening. Track 1 (1962) 'Che Gelida Manina' showcases a much fresher voice, but he strains terribly for the high 'C' and never even gets close. Track 18 (1963) 'Una furtiva lagrima' is full of embarrassments- chokes, flat notes, etc. - yet the live audience eats it up.

Di Stefano had stopped singing by the time I became an opera fan. This disk clearly shows why. Being a famous operatic tenor is not always about vocal quality (James McCracken, anyone?), and Di Stefano was certainly an exciting siger. There is some beautiful music on this CD, but I find it to be of mostly historical interest.